Applying the Habits of Mind to Hiring and Decision-Making
What if the key to hiring the right leaders and decision-makers wasn’t just in their resumes, but in the way they think?
In today’s unpredictable and fast-moving world, organizations need more than just qualified candidates—they need adaptive thinkers, problem solvers, and reflective decision-makers. The Habits of Mind provides a powerful lens for evaluating not only students and educators, but also leaders, boards, and hiring committees.
During a recent discussion previewing the Habits of Mind Conference, taking place April 7-8 in Rochester, NY, leaders explored how these habits can be integrated into the hiring process and decision-making at all levels of an organization.
Transforming Hiring Practices
Regina McDuffie, Ph.D. , head of a preschool-through-eighth-grade school in Southern California, shared how she began applying Habits of Mind to leadership and governance. As she prepared for upcoming interviews, she realized the framework could offer a more structured way to assess candidates.
“As I prepare to interview for some leadership positions here, I've been thinking about the interview questions,” McDuffie said. “I'm thinking about the Habits of Mind, but I never thought about how to get the team that is working on that interview committee to use it in that way of assessing and evaluating in a more structured way.”
Margie Sills-Maerov , a healthcare professional specializing in coaching and team development, reinforced this perspective by sharing how she integrated Habits of Mind into the hiring process for a hospital CEO.
“If somebody walked through my door and had all these skills, I'd hire them in a heartbeat,” Sills-Maerov said. “The wonderful thing is, everybody does have these skills. The question is, how do you start to elevate that and create conditions for people?”
Sills-Maerov developed an interview guide that measured a candidate’s ability by looking for the following Habits of Mind:
“We overlaid [the hiring process] with Habits of Mind and coaching to find a new CEO for an organization that is on the precipice of huge change,” Sills-Maerov said. “By assessing the habits, you were able to assess what kind of thinker this person is and whether they could be adaptive.”
领英推荐
Embedding Reflection in Leadership Decision-Making
Beyond hiring, educational consultant Michelle Hughes highlighted the importance of applying Habits of Mind at every level of leadership, ensuring decisions are made with deliberation, adaptability, and collective problem-solving.
“The things that Regina shared and the things that Margie shared in terms of how Habits of Mind function in these very divergent ways at every level of an organization really resonated with me,” Hughes said. “You begin with yourself -- yourself as a leader, yourself as a teacher, yourself as a consultant -- and how you reflect and grow your own habits of mind.”
She emphasized that self-awareness among leaders is crucial for fostering a culture where employees feel encouraged to think critically and creatively.
“It’s so authentic in that way, and that’s the trajectory I always bring to my own courses,” Hughes said. “It’s so important.”
Creating a Culture of Inquiry and Continuous Growth
Integrating Habits of Mind into hiring and leadership isn’t just about identifying strong candidates—it’s about cultivating a culture that encourages ongoing learning and adaptability.
“The accessibility and flexibility of Habits of Mind allows organizations to rethink how they mentor, evaluate, and support employees,” Sills-Maerov said. “If you think about hiring as not just filling a position, but rather building a thinking culture, the approach completely shifts.”
McDuffie agreed, adding that embedding the framework at all levels of governance strengthens leadership alignment.
“Sometimes supporting trustees means helping them persist, but also knowing when to pause and reflect,” McDuffie said. “It involves flexible thinking and knowing how to question and pose problems effectively.”
As organizations continue to prioritize resilience, adaptability, and strategic decision-making, the Habits of Mind framework offers a scalable, research-backed approach that extends far beyond the classroom.
Whether used in hiring, performance evaluation, or board leadership, these habits create a culture of inquiry, reflection, and continuous improvement, one decision at a time.
About the Habits of Mind Conference
To explore these insights further and connect with thought leaders who are shaping the future of education and leadership, attend the Habits of Mind Conference, April 7-8 in Rochester, NY. This event will offer keynote presentations, hands-on workshops, and collaborative discussions to help educators, administrators, and professionals apply these powerful habits in their own organizations. Register today to be part of the movement towards more thoughtful, adaptive leadership.
Executive Director at Carolus Online Academy
1 个月HOM works perfectly during interviews. I used it yesterday during an interview and purposefully looked for the Habits in their responses. It was amazing! I will always use this now and look to “catch” people emulating HOM during interviews! My team and I talked about it afterward as well. Amazing!