I often reflect on my decision making criteria when it comes to considering new hires just to keep myself in check. There are the obvious qualifications that one may posess when it comes to a specific job function; however I tend to put a premium on those qualities that make an individual successful beyond their initial six months. For me, time has proven that it’s not just about following directions. It is being able to work in the context of real ambiguity, where only the outcome is a known quantity and the specific directions to get there are the real uncharted territory. Give me that person who can navigate the obstacles, weigh the risks and chart the course – a bright, independent thinker of sorts with good decision making skills - and with the right coaching, I’ll show you a superstar.
The other thing I try to keep in mind is that hiring the right candidate means hiring a human being and as such infers we make mistakes from time to time. Aknowledging this fact means we must not only reward success but also failure. This is what ultimately makes calculating risk takers give 100%. They stretch not only themselves but the organization as a whole.
These are the self-organizers that really know how to get things done!
You can check out Seth Godin's Blog for some variations on this theme.
Comments