If you haven\u2019t already figured it out, leaders wear lot of hats. Sometimes it\u2019s difficult to determine which hat we should be wearing and which is the most important in the moment.<\/p>\n
Due to several team transitions, I\u2019ve spent a lot of time recently wearing the \u201chiring hat.\u201d For me, the hiring hat is the one that I take most seriously. More than any other hat I wear, I believe that this one is more important than any of the others. The decisions around hiring the right person have long-lasting impact. Those decisions not only affect me, but also have the potential to dramatically impact the rest of the team as well.<\/p>\n
I believe that the person you hire has the ability to enhance or detract from the existing culture. I am constantly aware that this person, when added to the existing combination of team members, has the power to help shape the future culture of the team. I\u2019ve seen the right person come in and fit right into the existing culture. I\u2019ve seen others step into the existing culture and quickly further shape and improve it. And I\u2019ve also seen the wrong person, when joining a team, has the ability to taint the existing culture and detract from the culture that exists.<\/p>\n
Here are a few things I do to ensure that the people I hire are reinforcing and improving the existing culture.<\/p>\n
This is critical for a few reasons. One … I have blind spots. Sometimes I am seeing some things and ignoring others. I\u2019ve found that fiercely loyal team members care passionately about the existing culture and protect it fiercely. They see things that I don\u2019t. In addition, I want to hire people with which others are excited to work. If team members are neutral, I\u2019ve found this person isn\u2019t likely going to add to and contribute toward the culture. Hires that team members are excited about typically bring something to the table that will make the team better.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m looking for team members that will make our collective team better. What will this new hire add to the culture of the team? What experience or skills do they have that the rest of team doesn\u2019t? How can they add to our collective skill set? Are these folks \u201ccookie cutter\u201d versions of our existing team members or is there something unique about them that will make us better as a team.<\/p>\n
This one takes a bit more finesse to uncover. I try to ask questions to identify if the person is constantly identifying the problems that surround the work we do or are they defaulting to providing solutions? Positive culture carriers look for solutions rather than consistently identifying problems. Problems consistently arise in the work we do. Positive contributors to our culture identify those problems but are already looking for solutions. This positive mindset and \u201cget \u2018er done\u201d attitude shapes the culture of the team.<\/p>\n
I believe that the most important role that leaders play in their teams is the culture that they create. Creating culture isn\u2019t random and haphazard. It requires intentionality. And one of the most intentional ways we, as leaders, create culture is through the individuals we invite to join our teams.<\/p>\n
How do shape culture by the people you hire? I\u2019d love to know your approach and what you\u2019ve learned along the way!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you haven\u2019t already figured it out, leaders wear lot of hats. Sometimes it\u2019s difficult to determine which hat we should be wearing and which is the most important in the moment. Due to several team transitions, I\u2019ve spent a lot of time recently wearing the \u201chiring hat.\u201d For me, the hiring hat is the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":30115,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[31],"tags":[51,125,58],"class_list":["post-29315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-main","tag-culture","tag-hiring","tag-leadership"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/pexels-photo-7550284.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1253&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pzg9k-7CP","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":210565,"url":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/transforming-teams-essential-culture-rebuilding-strategies\/","url_meta":{"origin":29315,"position":0},"title":"Transforming Teams: Essential Culture Rebuilding Strategies","author":"Jon Plotner","date":"September 11, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Taking over a new team is never easy, especially when the culture is in shambles. Whether it\u2019s due to previous leadership, internal conflicts, or external pressures, repairing a broken culture requires intention, patience, and perseverance. Over the years, I\u2019ve experienced firsthand what it\u2019s like to walk into a team\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Main"","block_context":{"text":"Main","link":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/category\/main\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/go-a-little-less-formal.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/go-a-little-less-formal.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/go-a-little-less-formal.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/go-a-little-less-formal.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":210418,"url":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/unpacking-accountability-vs-ownership-fostering-an-ownership-culture-in-your-workplace\/","url_meta":{"origin":29315,"position":1},"title":"Unpacking Accountability vs. Ownership: Fostering an Ownership Culture in Your Workplace","author":"Jon Plotner","date":"April 6, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Taking insights from leaders like Scott Cochrane, it's clear that real ownership in a business goes beyond accountability. Owners foster culture, spend wisely, and act unified as \"us\" not \"them.\" They're proactive, driving results without waiting for direction. 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Leading with a non-anxious presence helps create stability, boosts team confidence, and drives better decision-making. Learn how to cultivate inner calm and lead your team through chaos with clarity and resilience.","rel":"","context":"In "Main"","block_context":{"text":"Main","link":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/category\/main\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image-2.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image-2.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image-2.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/image-2.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":211605,"url":"https:\/\/jonplotner.com\/v1\/support-leadership-fostering-ownership-and-partnership-for-results\/","url_meta":{"origin":29315,"position":5},"title":"Support & Leadership: Fostering Ownership and Partnership for Results","author":"Jon Plotner","date":"May 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday, I attended a customer meeting with one of our customer success managers, and it turned into a real eye-opener about what leadership should be. 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