Principles for Making the Right Hire
Guiding Principles for Making the Right Hire
We love this simple guide as a starting point when hiring for any position in your business. A good hire should have or be all of the following;
Character
Commitment
Capacity
Competence
Coachable
Care
Character
This is the collection of a person's values and personal virtues. This is less about what a person does or does not do but rather about how a person goes about doing things. I believe this is the most important trait of all. Good character is someone that is honest, loyal, reliable, can be held accountable, and has self-control. Character cannot be taught.
Commitment
A good team member has to be committed to the position, to the team, and to providing exceptional service to clients. They understand how their actions or inactions can affect the greater good of the team. There has to be a commitment to carrying out tasks at the highest level. There has to be a level of enthusiasm towards the tasks assigned, a commitment to show up, be on time, and work to complete tasks. Commitment is a feeling of responsibility that someone has towards the goals, mission, and vision of the team. Commitment cannot be taught.
Capacity
This is a demonstrated ability to hit one or more targets or specific measurables within a predetermined timeframe. Can someone deliver what is required of them for the job they are being hired for? Can they complete tasks without supervision? Capacity can mean the time that a team member has to invest in the position, in goals, in the vision of the team. Does the person have the bandwidth for the job? Capacity cannot be taught.
Competence
Does the person have the skills, knowledge, and ability to carry out the tasks involved in the job that they are being hired for? Some levels of competency can be taught, others cannot.
Here are examples of some of the skills that a real estate agent or team member should have;
Communication skills
Ability to read a room, pick up on social cues
Be tech-savvy
Ability to negotiate
Have good listening skills
Be able to keep track of many moving parts- dates, people, contractual obligations
Have great problem-solving skills
Knowledge and understanding of the industry
Understanding of the local area
Great work-ethic
Time management skills
Self-starter
Coachable
These people are eager to learn and willing to learn ways to improve their skills. They embrace new ideas. They seek out ways to improve themselves. They have an awareness of what they know and do not know. A coachable candidate can quickly become more competent in many areas of skill.
Care
The ideal candidate cares about each member of the team. They are respectful of everyone's time and knowledge. This person understands clients' struggles and stresses and cares about making positive strides to help ease those. This person cares about the overall health and well-being of the team.
