Member Article

Getting the right people on board – the skills vs. attitude debate

In Jim Collins’ seminal 2001 book, Good to Great, he outlines seven common characteristics of companies that went “from good to great”.

The second of these is entitled ‘First Who, Then What: Get the right people on the bus, then figure out where to go. Finding the right people and trying them out in different positions’.

The basic idea here is that through harnessing the right attitudes – and investing in those you see as ‘great’ – your company will be better equipped for success.

It’s actually an old debate that boils down to skills vs. attitude.

When a business undergoes a change, it has to make sure that it has the right kind of people on board.

Commercialization – time for a change

A handy example here is commercialization. When public companies are privatized, they meet a whole host of challenges they didn’t have before.

The making or breaking of the company is suddenly in its own hands; it’s up to every employee to pull their weight. They suddenly have competition to beat.

The best way to hit these new challenges head on is with a distinct change of attitude – and instilling it immediately.

This needs three things above all: innovation, motivation, and flexibility; and for these, you need the right people.

The importance of skill

While employing people with the right attitude is paramount, clearly they’ve got to show they have ability.

That’s why you’ve first got to ask yourself – does the person have the right aptitude for the job? Will what they can do help you move your business to complete its tasks?

Perhaps it would be better phrased as ‘can their skills be put to good use for the company?’

The longevity of attitude

The problem many newly commercialized businesses face is that they stop there.

Jim Collins’ bus analogy means that we must take people on for their suitability to the company as well. If everyone that works for you is suited to your company’s culture, you are all working in the same direction.

More than that, choosing employees on account of their enthusiasm, imagination and innovation gives the company as a whole a drive to succeed.

durhamlane’s Sales Mantra #4 is ‘Under Promise. Over Deliver. Overwhelm.’ Real success as a business comes from more than just ticking boxes – you need that extra certain something to blow the competition out of the water.

Companies undergoing change of any kind must bear this in mind. Get the right people on board, and they will exceed expectations.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by durhamlane .