Who Are You Hiring?
Generating value in any organization requires bringing together an amazing group of people around a worthy cause and compelling vision. Too many people look only to innovative technology or strong processes or new products. Those things have their role, but there is one thing successful companies have in common — it’s the people who are able to transform culture and reshape an organization.
That means it’s critically important that you hire the right people. Here are 10 traits that are a must:
They must embody emotional intelligence.
Self-awareness and self-management are important skills; people with EI move the entire team forward, not just themselves.
Also Read: Emotional Intelligence: 6 Manuscripts — Emotional Intelligence x 3, Empath x 3
They must have a growth mindset.
Every hire needs to believe that with effort, perseverance and drive they can develop their natural qualities. People with that mindset are open to learning, feedback and becoming more productive and effective. They know they can overcome obstacles and learn from experience, and they’re willing to keep trying until they reach their goals.
Also Read: This Is the Day: Reclaim Your Dream. Ignite Your Passion. Live Your Purpose.
They must have relentless drive.
A great hire should have experience, but what’s more important is finding someone who’s self-motivated and tenacious. The best hires are looking for a combination of growth opportunities, responsibility, autonomy and a chance to prove their worth.
They must have a positive attitude.
Being able to look on the bright side is a valuable asset in any new hire. A positive outlook often signifies a resilience and fortitude that can benefit your organization. Negativity has no place in a success-oriented environment.
Also Read: 3 Things Successful People Do: The Road Map That Will Change Your Life
They must be lifelong learners.
Hire smart individuals who are open to learning and the constant pursuit of knowledge — personal or professional. These people enhance social inclusion and active citizenship within the workplace culture, and it encourages others to pursue their own development.
Also Read: Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
They must be agile and flexible.
Don’t settle for someone who is satisfied with getting it “just about right.” Hire the person who is prepared to change course in the face of unexpected events, the person who will lean in to a situation and learn and fail and learn some more as they go. You want the person who sees value in making progress, learning from execution and delivering results.
Also Read: The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results
They must value teamwork.
Someone who prides themselves on how well they work on their own might not be the right candidate. You want someone who is primarily a team player. Team-oriented individuals know how to contribute to a group’s collective energy and creativity, and they understand that teams can get more done in less time than solo practitioners.
Also Read: Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable
They are natural problem solvers.
Solving problems is at the center of what many people do at work. Whether there is a problem to be solved internally or externally, knowing how to discover new solutions can be a valuable skill in a new hire. Those who are great problem solvers — who can find a path where everyone wins — can handle even the toughest situations in a wise and positive way.
Also Read: Stop Guessing: The 9 Behaviors of Great Problem Solvers
They must have character.
You can hire someone with incredible talent and experience, but none of it will matter if they don’t have character. Nothing great can be accomplished without integrity and authenticity. Find people of integrity who can be forthright about who they are.
Also Read: Integrity: Character of the Kingdom
They must draw their motivation from something bigger than themselves.
Those who are intrinsically motivated by something that is bigger and more meaningful than themselves will eventually succeed. Hire someone who is committed to your mission. Purpose precedes process every time.
Also Read: Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations
You can always teach skills and develop traits, but the core elements can’t be taught or faked. Hire the right people, then teach them what they need to know to be successful.
Make sure you hire people with the traits you want to define your team and organization.
