The wrong hire will cost you more than an empty seat.
I've built teams across 3 continents, and here's your playbook:
Most leaders rush hiring because they fear the empty seat.
That fear costs more than taking your time.
Here's your battle-tested hiring playbook:
1/ Define success, not just responsibilities.
↳ Write job descriptions that attract A-players.
↳ Be crystal clear about outcomes, not just tasks.
2/ Resist desperation hiring.
↳ An empty seat hurts for a quarter.
↳ A bad hire hurts for years.
3/ Make interviews count.
↳ Don't just check boxes.
↳ Create scenarios that reveal thinking patterns.
4/ Test for execution, not theory.
↳ Give real problems to solve.
↳ Watch HOW they work, not just what they deliver.
5/ Pressure test their adaptability.
↳ Throw curveballs in the process.
↳ See how they handle uncertainty.
6/ Trust your team's gut.
↳ They'll work with this person daily.
↳ Their instincts are your early warning system.
7/ Measure cultural contribution.
↳ Culture fit is good, culture add is better.
↳ Look for values alignment, not just personality match.
8/ Investigate patterns.
↳ Reference checks reveal behavior patterns.
↳ Past performance predicts future results.
9/ Set expectations in HD.
↳ Be brutally honest about challenges.
↳ Clear expectations prevent future friction.
10/ Play the long game.
↳ A-players compound value.
↳ B-players drain resources.
Remember: Every hire shapes your culture.
Every culture shapes your future.
Make it count.
