Creating a great group isn’t that tough if you hire right. (The Warm Body Method of Recruiting is the opposite of what I’m talking about.) Here are some traits I look for:
- People who are passionately interested in their field
- People who know the best people in their business
- People who ask, “What do we need to get done today?” before they get to work
- People who watch the clock in the morning and get in on time
- People who don’t watch the clock at the end of the day
- People who are smart (you can teach them anything)
- People who are witty (they’re fun to be around)
- People who have talents that don’t have anything to do with work
- People you can count on
- People who say “We” instead of “I”
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Frank,
Great post and thoughts on the right person. Especially love the one about finding someone that doesn’t watch the clock at the end of the day. I know someone that as soon as I see him I know without fail it’s 5:00. He never proves me wrong.
Kim
Hi Kim, that clock watching at the end of the day drives me nuts. Funny how you can set your watch by some of them. It’s about getting the work done. I’m a fan of doing what we say we will. That doesn’t always happen between 9 and 5.
Great list – how about adding “When they are there, they are there.”
So simple and so true. I especially like the one about knowing the best people in the business and asking what needs to get done before the day starts. It’s about being interested in what you do and wanting to get stuff done.
What I really love are people who ask “what could I have done differently/better” when something goes wrong rather than “well, if that hadn’t happened, or if he/she had done better…” etc. Accountability is always something that is respected.
8 out of the 10 points already apply to me. I’ll send you my CV as soon as I’ve mastered the 2 last ones
JT, that’s the best explanation of “engagement” I’ve ever seen.
Kris, I wholeheartedly agree about accountability. So true.
The Happy Employee, you’re already there. Being happy is a HUGE part of it for me. I like working with fun people.
Maybe creating a great group isn’t that tough if you hire right but it’s often tough hiring right. It’s not the matter of making proper decisions. It’s about not being able to find these people you’ve described so easily.
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