Stop Hiring Talent, And Start With People

Over the past fifteen years Chris has served as a principal in over a dozen companies providing various levels of leadership and support. His specializations include strategic engagement, change management, and process excellence. He continues to sharpen and demonstrate his uncanny ability to successfully grow businesses through the creation of loyal teams, fanatic culture, and personal growth of those around him.

If you’re in business management, somewhere along the way you learn what it takes to hire good talent. You write extensive job descriptions, you do an analysis on what skills this person needs to possess, and you might even go so far as to decide what type of person would fit your corporate culture. I am here to tell you now, you’re doing it wrong.

Being a leader means more than making the right decisions for your business. If you choose to make the people within your organization a priority, you can achieve greater results. I’m not talking about continued professional development; I am talking about the person, the human being, the individual who has chosen to work for and with you.

Every day I try to improve the life of someone who works with me. If I can make their life better, then I have succeeded. It could be a personal or business matter, it doesn't make a difference. If those around me are successful in their daily tasks, and happy doing it, that will only elevate me as a leader.

It starts at the first meeting, the interview. Instead of recruiting for skills or experience, try applying the person as a whole to the position. Will this person adapt to new environments? Will they take on new challenges? Will they thrive under pressure? Will they communicate effectively with other team members? Will they enjoy their job and the people they work with?

You can’t always hire for these “soft skills” alone, but I am advocating they take a priority over skills that can be more easily taught and learned. Somewhere along the way, hiring became impersonal, robotic. Stop hiring talent, and start with people. 

Today's post is the fifth of the SOS Leadership Men Who Lead Blog Series. The purpose of this blog series is to share the stories and insights of men who are answering the call to leadership in their lives. Come back each Friday to read more!