In any job market, interviewing to fill a job can be hard. We want the right person, but the urgency to get the job filled sometimes gets in the way. Our sense of urgency tends to push us to find a person who seems to have the right skills and hope the fit works out. Your experience tells you that doesn’t always work. In fact, we know that if we prioritize attitude and fit, we will probably get the right person more frequently. So, while we usually focus on skills, we really need to hire attitude.
I know that may seem counter intuitive. After all we have specific tasks we need a person to accomplish. So, if they have the skills, we should be golden, right? But here are five reasons why we should hire attitude, and train skills.
Better Team Cohesion and Cultural Fit
Hiring attitude requires us to talk more about organizational values earlier in the interview process. Not only are we looking for fit, but we want candidates to do the same. When we do this, we improve the chances that new team members share our values and are more likely to fit well within the existing organizational culture. This promotes a cohesive and productive working environment where team members can collaborate effectively and maintain positive relationships. When that occurs, you know you have made a good hire.
More Adaptability and Resilience
The world – and the work you want your team to do - is always changing. You need team members who can adapt and adjust. When you hire attitude, you will generally be looking for – and select for – an attitude that supports embracing new ideas, learning from mistakes, and persevering when times are hard. People who bring resilience on day one will make a bigger difference than you might immediately imagine.
Higher Employee Engagement and Productivity
A positive attitude is typically contagious, inspiring others within the team to maintain a similar outlook. Think about it this way – when adding a new team member, would you choose to add someone with a negative outlook? Your answer to that question alone proves my point – that we must hire attitude!
When employees feel engaged and motivated, they are more likely to be productive and committed to achieving the organization's goals. This not only contributes to a more enjoyable work environment but also drives better overall performance and results for the organization.
Better Problem Solving
There are certainly skills and approaches that can help people solve problems. Yet, when people have a solution-focused possibility creating mindset, they are instantly better problem solvers. You want team members who seek creative and innovative ways to overcome challenges and anticipate other obstacles. When you hire attitude, you more likely will find these valuable traits in your new team members.
Greater Growth Potential
Skills can be taught and developed over time, but attitude is often more difficult to change. Hiring individuals with a growth mindset and eagerness to learn ensures that they are open to acquiring new skills and knowledge throughout their tenure. Plus – even if people come with relevant and needed skills, more training will likely be needed. It is far easier to build skills than change attitude and mindset.
The Bottom Line
The fact is that when we select a new member for our team, we are making an investment in them. Of course, we want people to hit the ground running and make a difference. But in the big picture, we would rather have a person who continues to grow and improve, than one who arrives with a set of skills and is disinterested in or unwilling to grow. When we hire attitude, realize we are investing from the start. We benefit from their experience while helping them learn new skills and become more valuable to the team and organization day after day, week after week.
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