The Bus

During a company reorganization (at some time in my distant past), a statement was used to summarize the ongoing changes. "A company is like a bus. You have to get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats." These words have always stuck with me - specifically during the recruiting process.

Recently I was tasked with recruiting a payroll clerk/HR assistant. Having a handful of resumes for highly qualified candidates, most with 10+ years experience and certified payroll professionals, the department head chose to reject them. On no less than three occasions she presented the same candidate for consideration. This candidate, having no payroll or human resources experience, did not meet the criteria for the position.

I have seen managers fail during the recruiting process by hiring candidates that lack the very skills / strengths that are needed to be successful in the role. While we may have a "connection" with a specific candidate, we need to select candidates with the greatest potential for success. The performance of a department, the company itself, hinges on the quality of its personnel. As managers, we should always surround ourselves with people who are better and smarter than we are. We should target and hire people that bring strengths into an organization that we ourselves lack.

When recruiting please carefully and fully assess the needs of the position. Always focus on the quality of incoming employees. Find new "strengths" for your organization. Hire them. Use them. Remember, the success of any organization rests on the strengths of its employees. Always capitalize on the strengths of the people within your organization or team.