Leading at Light Speed is an essential new leadership book by Eric Douglas synthesizing the best business practices into 10 Quantum Leaps that build trust, spark innovation, and create a high-performing organization.
The third chapter focuses on leading through others and includes Hiring Tips for Getting the Right People on the Bus.
In order to gain the best ingredients, you must be disciplined about whom you hire, promote, and reward. It doesn’t matter how big or small your organization is: Don’t settle for second best. Successful leaders are, in the words of Jim Collins, those who get, “the right people on the bus~Effective leaders seek to get, in the words of Jim Collins, “the right people on the bus.”
Bob Matthews, the founder of Cable Data, one of the world’s largest billing companies, was ahead of his time in thinking about how to find the right ingredients. He had a unique ability for discerning a person’s strengths and took risks to put people into unfamiliar positions that brought those strength out of them.
“The majority of people don’t receive training that matches their natural abilities,” he said. “A person’s natural talent matters more than a resume.” He made sure he hired people into leadership roles who had been effective in an array of fields. Yoga instructors, jewelry makers, software marketers, to name a few.
Bob also shifted people’s roles regularly. Bob realized when people are gaining knowledge, they produce the most effort. When they follow routine effectiveness suffers. Keeping them on their toes, he’d put people in new roles every three years. “I think it’s important for people to get uncomfortable again,” he said. The goal is to persistently challenge people to gain knowledge and apply their most excellent ideas.”
Bob was committed to placing women in senior management roles. He theorized that the nature of women made them more likely to do away with ego in exchange for working collaboratively. Many women have attained thriving careers, a testament to Bob’s vision. A number of these women continued on to lead Fortune 500 companies.
Take this free work survey to discover how well your company measures up to the 10 Quantum Leaps.