Kingdom At Work
When hiring, it may be tempting to hire the first interesting person you talk to. In our rush to find help, we convince ourselves that after one or two quick interviews, the candidate will share the same passion and care for our business. But that is often not the case, and if we keep this mindset, we will have a company full of employees.
We don’t want employees, we want team members. Team members aren’t just employees. Team members go the extra mile, stand in the gap for their teammates, and strive to perform with excellence. Team members not only reflect your company’s core values, but champion them. The process to hand-select those individuals will require more time and energy upfront, but will benefit your company in the long run. Therefore, we believe in a selection process, which is more intentional than simply hiring. Below are key considerations that we have found helpful when carefully selecting team members:
- Ask God to bring the right person to the team.
Trust God wants to bring the best-qualified people to your business. Our responsibility is to simply be obedient to wait for the person He leads us to. - Realize the importance and weight of your decision.
Hiring may seem like just another decision in your packed schedule, but it isn’t just one decision. You’re picking someone who will make hundreds of decisions on your behalf. - Take time to find the person who is the best fit for the position.
The selection process will typically take 30 days, but time is not the key factor! How long it takes is a function of the leader’s prioritization. - Don’t hire in isolation.
Deciding who to hire is not a democratic process. However, remember that “without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” As we invite others into this decision, we have the opportunity to see things from different points of view and develop unity around a candidate. - If you don’t have 100% peace about the decision and aren’t excited for the person, pause.
Ultimately if there aren’t “fireworks” going off in your head because you are so excited to get this person on your team, don’t move on to the next step.
A selection process may feel abnormal, and maybe even extreme, but it is based upon experience, including mistakes and wisdom from other business leaders. Since adopting the selection process, we have seen healthier and more engaged teams, and a stronger company culture. For a step-by-step descriptions of our selection process, read here.