9 Qualities of a Quality Hire

We've already discussed that in most cases, hiring for character and training for skill is an effective way to go. (If however, you need to understand how a person's experience and skills will advance your organization, here's the most effective way to determine that.) But what characteristics, exactly, should you be looking out for? Numerous examples of such lists exist, and strong arguments for the validity of each can be made. We've already offered a simple "who we are and who we're not" rubric to screen for the culture you want in your organization. Recently, I was reading The Talent War which outlined the nine foundational character attributes of high-potential individuals. They are:

1. Drive - the need for success and constant desire for fresh achievement

2. Resiliency - bounces back from stress quickly, resists quitting and finishes goals

3. Adaptability - ability to adjust behavior to what the situation requires

4. Humility - a willing learner, maintains accurate self-awareness and seeks out feedback

5. Integrity - understands what is legal and right and aligns their actions and words with both

6. Effective intelligence - the ability to solve problems when a ‘book solution’ is not available; the ability to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios

7. Team-ability - the ability to function within a team, resists a “Rambo” mentality

8. Curiosity - able to explore the unknown and question the status quo in pursuit of better

9. Emotional strength - positive attitude, high empathy and emotional control in high-stress situations

If you're looking to hire, you can't go wrong to focus on character. These 9 traits will help you focus your search.

_____________________________________________ At Trellis Group, we believe chaos is the enemy of the small business. It's our mission to partner with small business owners and their teams to develop the managerial practices and processes to crush chaos. If you feel overwhelmed and need a proven system to focus on the next best thing, we can help. Companies who work with us see revenues go up, anxiety go down, and work becomes a force multiplier for good in the lives of your people. Reach out to discover how the Trellis Group can help you crush chaos.