Leaders get things done. They command the attention and respect of those under them and consistently upgrade subordinate performance via clear goal-setting, positive reinforcement and frequent feedback.
Moreover, their subordinates genuinely like them. While they exhibit great strength and resolve, top managers also display compassion, patience and tolerance for mistakes.
The Importance of Recruiting Leaders
Needless to say, a firm lives and dies by its ability to recruit leaders. For any organization, staffing effective managers can dramatically increase productivity, heighten employee moral and grow a firm’s competitive advantage.
Conversely, hiring inept leaders can diminish employee retention, lower client satisfaction rates and lead to a sharp decline in productivity.
While recruiting superior managers can prove arduous, it is nothing short of crucial. To assist, our recruiters have laid out a platform which should assist your organization in hiring the most effective leader for any open position.
1. Properly assessing a leadership resume. There are certain factors which should be present in all resumes considered for a leadership job. Among others, these include:
- Employment stability – Has the prospective job applicant stayed at each position they’ve held for a significant period of time?Management turnovers carry costly consequences for an organization. Regardless of achievements or knowledge, applicants who have frequently bounced from position to position will often bring their instability over to their next job.
- Pertinent management experience – Has the individual successfully managed a team similar in employee number? Were they held responsible for meeting similar goals? Were the environments they worked in parallel to the one which you’re hiring for?
- Tangible awards and achievements – Has the job seeker been formally awarded, recognized and promoted for their ability to upgrade those under them?
- Pertinent knowledge – Does the individual possess the knowledge required for them to be able to commence the job with little to no ramp-up time?
2. Deciphering the personality traits that comprise effective leadership. Once the interviewing process begins, it’s imperative that the hiring manager closely analyze the individual to determine if they possess the following:
- Integrity – Leaders tell the truth, they keep their word and expect the same from those around them. Moreover, they take responsibility for past actions, admit mistakes and go to great lengths to fix those mishaps.
- Will – The most effective leaders possess a keen commitment to forward progress. Regardless of obstacles or resistance, they maintain determination, grit, motivation, perseverance and resilience. This “can-do” attitude resonates amongst his or her employees.
- Maturity – Effective managers can withstand heat, handle stress and setbacks and respect the emotions of others. They are confident, but not arrogant.
- Execute – Leaders have the ability to get the job done. Regardless of hurdles, superior managers consistently produce the results necessary for the organization to achieve its desired goals.
Additional character traits to actively seek out include resiliency, intelligence, positive energy, confidence and optimism.
3. Ask the right questions – The most efficient way to decipher how intelligent, experienced and capable a leader may be is to ask thought-provoking questions geared towards determining the management aptitude of the individual.
- How do you define leadership?
- What would you do if x problem arose?
- How would you explain your management approach?
- Given the information I have during the interview, what do you believe to be the best course of action to achieve heightened results from the individuals whom you’ll be managing?
Nothing matters more than getting the right people in the right places. That begins with recruiting efficient leadership. Hiring good people is hard. Hiring great people is brutally hard. However, it’s brutally necessary.
