There are plenty of clichés that hiring managers use to describe the type of employees they’re looking for.
“We want real go-getters,” they say, or “We want employees who are ready to hit the ground running from day one.”
What they mean is that they want hard workers who know their stuff. That’s great, but throw in the requisite education and experience, and you have the recipe for another average employee who could fit in just fine with your competitors.
But in today’s crowded marketplace, a run-of-the-mill team made up of run-of-the-mill employees isn’t going to cut it. Instead of working from the same wish list as every other company, consider these characteristics to build a truly exceptional team:
1. Intellectual curiosity: This isn’t the same as being smart. People with intellectual curiosity want to learn, grow, and evolve. They’re constantly looking for new challenges, answers to their questions, and better ways to get things done. These are the type of employees you want because they’re the ones who will challenge conventional thinking and keep your company one step ahead of the competition.
2. Authenticity: There’s something refreshing about people who carve their own paths. You don’t want suck-ups; you want team members who aren’t afraid to be their unique selves because it makes for a much more interesting and creative workplace.
Think of folks like Bill Gates, Mahatma Gandhi, Steve Jobs, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, and Bono. We love them for who they are, and their unique personalities helped them make impressive contributions to society.
3. Candor: Ask interviewees what they think of your company based on their experience or perception. Many of them won’t answer the question directly — either because they haven’t done enough research to form an opinion or because they’re trying to be polite.
If they can’t give you the truth at that initial meeting, expect them to pad the truth as an employee. You don’t want to fill your team with yes-men. You want employees with thoughts and opinions of their own who will push your team to improve.
4. A life: As tempting as it is to hire hyper-dedicated employees who will be the first in and last out every day, at some point you’ll recognize that there’s only so much they can contribute without seeing the world.
Don’t underestimate the value a balanced life brings to the workplace. Without friends, family, hobbies, and travel, employees run the risk of becoming one-dimensional, which will limit their long-term growth.
5. Food knowledge: You’re going to be spending a lot of time with these people, and aside from the air you breathe, food is your most common shared experience. Lunch or dinner meetings don’t have to mean poring over spreadsheets in the boardroom with a greasy slice of pizza in hand (unless that’s your thing).
Someone with a healthy appreciation for interesting food options will know where to get the best butter chicken and which spots have good ambiance for brainstorming and a top-notch wine selection. Find someone who takes food seriously to ensure you have a team of people who are fun to dine with.
With multiple generations in the workplace and technology changing so quickly, new hires need to be able to grow and adapt while harnessing their passion and intellectual firepower. Most technical skills can be learned with the right training, so don’t base your hiring on what everyone else is looking for. Work on building a team that’s truly unique.