Great vision without great people is irrelevant.
Jim Collins
When building a successful team, we often focus on skills, experience, and qualifications. But there’s another equally important aspect, if not more so: would you be willing to work for the person you’re hiring?
A New Perspective
Imagine you’re not the boss but the employee. Would this person inspire you? Would you trust their judgment? Would you feel motivated to do your best work under their leadership? If the answer is yes, you’re likely on the right track. If it’s not, it might be time to reconsider.
Leadership is not exclusive to those in management positions. Every member of your team has the potential to be a leader in their own right. By hiring individuals you’d be willing to report to, you’re fostering a culture of leadership at all levels. This can lead to increased innovation, improved problem-solving, and a more engaged and motivated team.
The Hiring Challenge
This approach to hiring isn’t without its challenges. It requires us to look beyond the resume and consider the individual’s leadership potential. It also requires us to confront our biases and be open to diverse perspectives and backgrounds. But the rewards – a motivated, innovative, and cohesive team – are well worth the effort.
Hiring is one of the most critical tasks a leader faces. The people you bring into your team can make or break its success. So next time you’re in the hiring process, ask yourself: would I be willing to work for this person? The answer might surprise you, and it could lead you to make some of the best hiring decisions of your career.
Explore More
If you enjoyed this and want to dive deeper into the topic, here are some additional resources you might find interesting:
- 📚The Elephant and the Mouse by Laura Liswood. The elephant and the mouse represent different perspectives and experiences of diversity in the workplace. Through this fable, leaders are encouraged to embrace these differences, fostering an environment where diverse viewpoints are valued and leveraged for the benefit of the entire organization.
- 📚Build by Tony Fadell. A compelling guide that motivates you to unlock your innovative potential, drawing from his experiences as a renowned inventor and entrepreneur. The book provides practical advice on transforming ideas into reality, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, resilience, and building successful teams.
- 📚Legacy by James Kerr. A book about the strategies and values that have made the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team one of the most successful in history. The book delves into the heart of the team’s culture, offering insights on leadership, resilience, and excellence that apply to sports, business, and personal life.