Throughout the interviews I have conducted for America’s Healthcare Leaders, many of the leaders have discussed the importance of company culture, values, and the alignment of skills for the job.
There was an article published on Inc.com recently titled, “4 Key Things to Consider When Hiring and Building Your A-Team.” In this article, Caitlin McGregor, CEO of Plum, shares the 4 key things she does to make sure the right individuals end up in the right position.
When the right individuals come together with the correct set of skills and a desire to align themselves with company values, almost anything can be accomplished. Here are the 4 tips from McGregor for making this happen:
- Understand the key soft skills required for the role– While hard skills are necessary, the soft skills can play a significant part in the success of the individual. How do they handle stress? Are they adaptable? Are they patient?
- Align the role with the company culture & direction– The article states, “89% of turnover is due to attitude and only 11% is due to skill set.” You want candidates who will share the passion and vision of the company and make it more successful.
- Efficiently assess candidates before they come in– While it may be time-consuming, make sure to carefully review each candidate before they come in. This gives you a more accurate view of the candidate and will save time in the long run.
- Avoid bias– Don’t hire a bunch of “you’s.” Do not let a bias toward people who are similar to you keep you from hiring the candidate who will triple your profits next quarter.
This article reinforces everything I know to be true about hiring. It takes a variety of people with different skills to make a truly effective team, and all have to be willing to have the mindset and cultural values of the company. If any of these steps are not complete, success can be limited.
What this means for you
I know not everyone is in charge of hiring others, so how does this apply to you and benefit you on your path to greater success? If this is what an organization needs to check for when hiring, then clearly these tips also align with what you need to be doing in your career and current position:
- Don’t just apply for any job– Consider both the soft and hard skills necessary and apply and work in areas you will be able to succeed.
- Embrace the company culture– We continually talk about doing what you are passionate about. Don’t work for a company you don’t believe in. Seek out a company where you can truly get on board.
- Be prepared going in– The interviewer should not be the only one preparing. Know your resume and be intentional in your pursuit.
Whether you’re involved in your team’s hiring process, are seeking a new position yourself, or are simply fulfilling your current role, following these tips can help ensure that your team is an A-Team.
Dan, this article is a sledgehammer hitting a nail on the head. Our company has continued to struggle with hiring the right candidates for EXACTLY the 4 points that you address.
I will combine 2 the assessment of the candidates and their soft skills. Too often we get in people that are like a “bull in a china shop”, and either have to replace them, or worse allow them to stay long enough they run off good workers in the company. The investment up front is NOTHING compared to the investment to replace the bull and or others that the bull runs off.
Thank you so much Jeff. I am delighted that the article spoke to you and that you will be able to apply the truths and concepts in your day-to-day leadership responsibilities. And, thank you for reading our articles. All the best!