If I had a
dime for every time I heard someone quoted my belief, or saw a tweet or Facebook status with my words of
wisdom, I’d probably be a millionaire. There is a reason my words keep on
living and they can be applied to so many parts of a person’s life; they do say
good advice never goes out of style. I can teach you about many things,
including hiring. The 5 quotes may not
have been about growing a business when he wrote them, but they can certainly
teach you a lesson.
5.
“They must have seen ahead what now appears: They would bring empires down about
our Ears
And by the example of our Declaration
Make everybody
want to be a nation.”
This quote
is from JFK’s inauguration, Frost reminds us that the Founding Fathers had a
vision for the United States; this vision is being lived out by the president
the people elect to run the country. This is not too different than hiring. Leaders have a vision, and
good companies want to do something that matters. Blind decision-making is not
an option when hiring or running a business. Effective business plans and decisions are
backed up by a foundation which finds its grounding in a mission. To make great
hires, ask yourself, “What impact will this decision have on the future of my
company?” Hire with purpose. Hire someone who just gives you the impression
that he or she will exceed your goals.
4. “All
those who try to go it sole alone,
Too proud to be beholden for relief,
Are
absolutely sure to come to grief.”
If an
employee is going to be working with every department, or at least a few, why
would one person make the hiring decision? Collaboration in hiring is key. Making the
best decisions for your company and growing team is not something that can be
achieved alone. Let’s say for instance you decide to go about the hiring
process by yourself. You hire someone you think will be a great fit, he or she
meets the team they will be working with and everything flies off the handles.
It’s just not a good match. Now you have spent time and money training, and
interviewing someone who will end up costing you more than they had time do
produce. Moral of the story – don’t do it alone; I predict, “grief,” and it’s bloody
truth.
3.
“Pressed into service means pressed out of shape.”
Quality of
Hire is
a driving factor in the success of your company. Hiring someone quickly – just
because – isn’t the answer. Hire the best. Pressing someone into a certain roll
is not going to work in the long term unless they have the will to learn.
People who are not invested in what your company is doing or aren’t passionate
about the roll you have placed them in WILL get bent of out shape about it. And
we all know the costs of a bad hire. Avoid that mistake entirely by hiring people
invested in your company’s purpose.
2.
“There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you with so much quail
shot that you can’t move, and the kind that just gives you a little prod behind
and you jump to the skies.”
I am going
to respond to a quote with a quote, “When you hire people that are smarter than
you are, you prove you are smarter than they are.” As the leader of the
company or as hiring manager what is most important is your ability to identify talent
and amplify your employee’s abilities. You can’t teach talent, but you can find
talent. There are two kinds of leaders: the kind that have to be at the top of
the totem pole and stifle those beneath them, and the kind that want to see the
people around them flourish and empower them to do so. Spoiler alert: you want
to be the latter.
1. “I
always entertain great hopes.”
When I
started at SmartRecruiters, I was an intern. I was supposed to be coming in
part time, but I took the initiative to change my internship into 5 days week.
When all was said and done, SmartRecruiters created a position for me as Community Manager, a brand new job in
the company. I wanted more for myself, and SmartRecruiters did too. If the
right person comes along you do not want to miss them. David Smooke says, “Always keep
the funnel open, and create jobs for new great talent.” Avoid the frame of mind
that says, ‘Well, we’ll never get bigger than 10 people,’ or ‘We’re not hiring
right now.’ A new person can always help you grow and improve. Keep jobs open
on your career page
to ensure you won’t miss the people who are going to help you do this.
As a business you rely
on your people to keep the wheels turning and the business innovating. You
cannot learn a lifetime’s wisdom overnight but Robert Frost’s words can take
you in the right direction. Having big dreams for your company and your people
is the first step, and execution is the second. Use these quotes and words of wisdom
to make the most of your hiring.
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