Yes, we are talking about your team….again. No, I am NOT an HR specialist but as a consultant to small and medium sized firms, the question of PEOPLE arises daily. Even when we discuss Processes and Profits, we still include the People as one of the biggest drivers and concerns.
So, WHO are your people? Let’s forget their resume and technical competence. Lets talk about who they are. Their values, their beliefs, their work ethic and their vision for themselves. Too often I see firm owners hire team members because their resume and or their technical skills fit all the requirements but three months after hiring, the relationship falls apart and the firm owner is scratching their head. How did this happen? This person had all the skills!
I see this time and time again. Please be sure to include some sort of personality assessment in your interview process. Something formal like Meyers Briggs or else something that you have created. I always used a jigsaw puzzle and it never led me to a disappointing hire (ASK me about this!).
In order to do this you need to take a look at yourself and your firm. WHO do you want to work with you? What personality suits your work environment and managerial style best? What characteristics or personality styles would be the best fit. Once you know that THEN you can set about hiring effectively.
Bottom line, we can train and teach debits and credits but it is extremely hard to train for values and beliefs!