Hiring The Right People

A crucial aspect of building the dream team is hiring employees who fit perfectly within your company's culture, values, and mission.

Trust me when I say this- finding the right fit can make all the difference between a thriving business and a rocky road ahead. I’ve been there and done it. Hired the right people and hired the wrong people. The wrong team members can tear your company apart from within and cause a lot of headaches.

Picture this- You're running your business with a specific mission and a unique vibe that sets you apart from the competition.

Your company culture, values, and mission are the driving forces behind your success. Now, imagine bringing in employees who don't align with these fundamental aspects of your business. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole—messy, frustrating, and destined to fail.

So how do we avoid this?

⬆️ First Solidify your Company Culture, Values & Purpose

Your company culture is the collective personality of your organization. It's the energy that flows through your team, the shared values and beliefs that drive everyone forward. It starts at the top and flows downward.

You need an established company culture in order to hire people who fit into it. So you have to know what it is first and foremost. When you hire individuals who resonate with your culture, you foster a greater sense of belonging and unity. This leads to a happier and engaged workforce, increasing productivity, creativity, and employee retention.

⬆️ Build a Motivated Team

Hiring employees who align with your values ensures everyone is on the same page. Motivation naturally follows when people share a common purpose and believe in what they're doing. Your team will be more driven to achieve goals, overcome challenges, and go the extra mile to deliver exceptional results. A motivated team boosts productivity and inspires others to spread positive vibes.

⬆️ Enhancing Teamwork

Teamwork makes the dream work. When you have employees who fit within your company's culture, they're going to work well with each other (most of the time). Problem-solving becomes a collective effort and this collaboration can become the backbone of innovation and growth within your organization.

Those are just a few benefits of hiring people who fit well within your company culture… Let's consider what happens when you hire someone who doesn’t...

👎Creating Chaos - Bringing in employees who don't align with your culture can disrupt the harmony within your organization. Their conflicting values, work style, or attitude will likely create tension and friction, affecting overall team morale and productivity. You’ll spend more time and effort putting out HR fires than doing your job. It’s throwing sand in a gas tank; it messes up the whole engine.

👎Increased Turnover - Employees who don't feel connected to your company are more likely to become disengaged and seek opportunities elsewhere. This leads to high turnover rates, which are time-consuming and expensive for your business.

4 months ago my company's turnover was insanely high because of a bad hiring decision I made. It cost us about $40,000. Since removing that sand from the gas tank, we haven’t lost a single employee. Retaining talented employees is far more cost-effective and allows you to build long-term relationships contributing to company growth and profit.

👎Decline in Productivity - A lack of company fit can dampen the employees' enthusiasm and motivation. They may feel disconnected, be fighting amongst each other, despise their co-workers, etc. This leads to a non-functioning team. This hurts everyone, including your customers. Your business needs staff who are skilled and passionate about what they do. Hiring the wrong fit can stifle teamwork, create discontent, and ultimately drive customers away.

So how do you hire the right people?

1. Have a clearly defined company culture, values, and purpose - Understand what your organization stands for and ensure these aspects are well-defined and communicated to potential candidates. Ensure your current employees know it, too, if it hasn’t been deliberately communicated yet.
2. Develop interview questions and/or assessments that evaluate a candidate's alignment with your company's culture and values - Include questions in your interview process that allow you to gain insight into your candidate’s beliefs and values, even have them do a working interview with the team and gather team feedback.
3. Teach skills AND values - While skills and experience are important, don't overlook the significance of someone’s values. Look for candidates who not only have the necessary skills but also are in alignment with your company's values.
4. Foster a culture of diversity and inclusion - While cultural fit is essential, it's equally important to foster an inclusive environment that embraces diversity. Seek individuals who bring different perspectives and experiences to the table while still aligning with your core values.

Hiring employees who fit within your company's culture, values, and mission is not just a nice-to-have; it's a game-changer and, in my opinion, a must-have. The benefits are far-reaching, from solidifying your company culture and building a motivated team to enhancing collaboration and fostering innovation. Conversely, neglecting cultural fit can lead to clashes, low employee retention, and decreased productivity.

Remember, building a successful business is not just about finding talented individuals; it's about finding talented individuals who believe in what your business stands for.

Employees who are passionate about your mission and feel connected to your values become your greatest asset, driving your organization to new heights.

As you embark on the hiring journey, keep your company culture, values, and mission front and center. Seek out individuals who not only possess the skills but also align with the essence of your organization. By doing so, you'll build a dream team and create a thriving, fulfilling work environment that sets you apart from the competition.

Best,

Chris Pelle |  CEO of Complete Canine Training  |  LinkedIn