The Art Of Building A Successful Team

In order for your career to grow, you mustcandidates. Ive seen many hiring managers pass over
demonstrate effective leadership skills. Organizationscandidates because they were intimidated by their
are finally beginning to realize that soft skills are just asambition. Instead of worrying about someone taking
important as technical skills and therefore, are placingover your job (if this is an issue, youve got bigger
more emphasis on developing and rewarding effectiveproblems to worry about), think about who could
leaders. One important skill for leaders to master is thepotentially replace you when you move on to a bigger
ability to recruit high-potential talent into the organization.role.
The responsibility of recruiting these candidates doesnt5.Avoid the temptation of hiring someone just like you.
fall solely on the shoulders of your recruiter. There areIts great when you have a connection with a
many ways that you can enhance their efforts tocandidate, but try to remember that you arent hiring
attract the most sought after candidates. Recruitingsomeone to be your friend. Instead, look for someone
shouldnt be reactive performed only when you havewho will complement your teams strengths and
an opening on your team. It should be an ongoingweaknesses.
activity so that your pipeline of candidates is full and6.Select candidates who are passionate about their
you can start interviewing shortly after a need haswork. Passion is difficult to ascertain during an
been established. Follow these tips to make the mostinterview. However, there are signs you can look for
of your efforts:and questions you can ask to better determine if this is
1.Look to your existing employees for a promotionalsomeone who is passionate about their work.
opportunity, first. You should always look within theDoes their education and work history consist of
organization before you consider external candidates.positions that build on each other, demonstrating
Reward employees who are actively developing theirknowledge in their field and a desire for growth? Or,
skills and are loyal to the company. Is there someonehave they bounced around with little direction?
who is ready to take on new responsibilities?Are they actively involved in their professional
2.If you are an active member of your professionalcommunity? Do they take advantage of opportunities
community, start building a rapport with prospectiveto develop new skills?
candidates. Recruiting is a lot like marketing the moreFind out why they chose to get into this particular line
positive contact you have with prospects, the moreof work.
receptive they will be to talking to you about making aMake a note of their specific professional goals. To be
move to your organization. Keep in contact with thoseworking in a position that utilizes my skills or to be a
you would like to have on your team one day.manager doesnt cut it. Is it just about the money or are
3.Build a reputation as a strong leader. This is one ofthey looking for growth or meaning in their work?
those times when you want your reputation toFind out what aspect of their job they enjoy most.
precede you. If you are known for being a great7.Stop settling for mediocrity. Dont be afraid to hold off
leader, candidates will want to work for you. Yearon making a selection decision until you have the right
after year, lack of opportunity is cited as one of thecandidate. Get creative in the way you manage your
main reasons for employee turnover. Judiciousemployee shortage. Consider redistributing the duties
candidates know that their manager can make oron your team and hiring a temporary administrative
break that opportunity and they make their decisionsemployee to take up the slack. This is a great time for
accordingly.your employees gain additional experience.
4.Dont be intimidated by dynamic, high-potential