When you are building a team for your business or task at church or for community service, what do you look for? A warm body? Particular skills? Relatives?
There has been a consistent theme to my reading and conversations this week. It has been around people.
Andy Stanley says that you should look for who before what. Look for good and talented people first. Then figure out what to put them to work at.
Google looks for curiosity.
An interview I heard on the radio with the head designer at Go Pro talked about learners. When asked about her own learning, she said it’s the people she hires. They are learners. When they learn something new, they want to teach it.
Chuck Price, leader at Campus Crusade and a friend, says to hire character. You can teach skills. You can’t teach character.
When I’ve hired or brought people into teams, I look for a basic skill set. I want people who can teach me something. I’ve learned the hard way to not hire people with agendas. Especially when that comes with weak character.
Family and friends? Be careful.
Personality also counts. It depends a little on how customer-facing they will be. But still, they must fit in with the team. Avoid people who are negative, arrogant, or, on the other hand, weak and timid.
Hiring is a major decision. It’s game changing. Make a wrong hire and you can destroy an organization, business, or committee.
Take is seriously. Make it first priority when you have to hire or are building a team.
I like the philosophy of these characteristics: Character, Curiosity, Learner.
Tags: attitude, Character, Leadership, learning
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