Reinvent Recruiting

How to recruit a great team member

In this business, we look to build teams – teams of people who will 1) recruit others
and 2) use and market
the product or program.

Most people quit, and many that are left need to
be pushed and shoved. To put an end to that,
let’s define a “great team member” so you can
recruit one.

Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder, was personally
involved in all the key recruiting decisions for Apple.
He recruited the team members who helped
make Apple #1 in the world. Here’s one thing he
said he required:

“We need people who will do their part, without
our having to stand over them to make them do it.
So that when the teams meet again, everyone has done the
parts they are responsible for.  That’s how we move
ahead.”

Great team member: Someone who does what they say
they will do, without you having to stand over them or
motivate them to do whatever they said they would do.

So, perhaps one of your interview questions could be:

I’m looking for someone who does what they say they’re

going to do.  I need someone I can count on to do the
part they agree to, without my having to hound or
stand over the person.  Does that sound
like you?

Of course you will be discussing what kinds of things the
person needs to do.  But the question is, are they someone
who DOES what they say they will do, once they agree?

That one attribute, a person who is true to their word, is perhaps
more important than any other characteristic. People who do what they say
are careful not to over-commit. Talkers who don’t do what they
say over-commit constantly and are useless to your team.

Talk’s cheap.  If you’ve had it with team members
who are just talkers, ask for someone like Mr. Jobs did –
someone who will do what they say without you or anyone
else having to stand over them to make them do it.

 

About the author

Kim Klaver

9 Comments

  • Excellent Apple analogy regarding how to go about getting team members for your business.

    And another reason why the sales disqualification model is better than trying to convince or persuade someone into do your thing.

  • This is exactly what I needed to read today and it makes so much sense. I have definately been spending too much time with people trying to motivate them to do what they need to do. I am going on a hunt for people who follow through.

  • Great post Kim! Being careful who I put into my networking business will save me much effort in the future. We just set up a system that requires some effort on the part of the person wanting to join our business. This way we can keep consumers in one part of the business and those that network and duplicate in our network marketing structure!

  • Hi Kim,

    Love the tip… this part says it all:
    “People who do what they say
    are careful not to over-commit. Talkers who don’t do what they
    say over-commit constantly and are useless to your team.”

    Is this from Inside Apple book you told us on the Saturday call?

    Theodore from Greece

  • Some will, most won’t, so what, next

    Is the boss going to give you a $5,000.00 raise this year?
    Would you like one?
    Are you willing to work 7 to 10 hr per week every week for the next year to get it?
    Only about 1 out of 100 say they will.
    Separate the wheat from the chaff right up front. Consider your time worth $100.00+ per hour and keep that in mind when talking to potential recruits.

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