Hiring The Right People For The Right Reasons

In a recent episode of the Talent & Growth podcast, Justin Megawarne , co-founder of Megaslice , shared his unique hiring philosophy. His approach focuses on authenticity and transparency to ensure that new hires join for the right reasons and are well-suited for the company's dynamic environment. Here are the key steps Justin outlined for making sure you're hiring the right people:

1. Be Authentic and Transparent

The foundation of Justin's hiring philosophy is authenticity. Being transparent about the challenges and realities of working at your company helps filter out candidates who may need to be the right fit. Justin emphasises that honesty about the company’s environment, whether the spiky work patterns or the need for flexibility, allows potential hires to self-select if they feel uncomfortable.

2. Communicate the Realities in Job Adverts

Job adverts are the first touchpoint with potential candidates. Justin suggests being upfront about the nature of the work, the culture, and the expectations. For example, if the work involves irregular hours or unusual tasks beyond the typical job scope, it’s crucial to mention this. This honesty helps attract candidates who are genuinely interested and comfortable with these conditions.

3. Design an Honest Interview Process

During interviews, Justin recommends presenting scenarios reflecting the challenges candidates face. Asking questions about their comfort with ambiguity, their ability to work unsociable hours, or how they handle demanding clients can provide insights into whether they’ll thrive in your company’s environment. Observing body language and responses can reveal their genuine interest and suitability.

4. Look for Key Traits

Justin highlights the importance of hiring for attitude over specific skills. Key traits such as resilience, adaptability, and a proactive mindset are crucial. These qualities ensure that employees can handle the work's dynamic and sometimes chaotic nature. The ability to thrive in such an environment often outweighs technical skills, which can be developed over time.

5. Foster a Culture of Peer Accountability

Encouraging a culture where employees hold each other accountable promotes responsibility and collaboration. Justin prefers team members to have direct conversations with each other about performance issues rather than escalating them to management. This approach helps build a robust and self-regulating team dynamic.

6. Balance Transparency with Enticement

While being honest about the company’s challenges, it’s also essential to communicate the positives and the mission. Justin ensures that candidates understand the broader impact of their work and the company’s goals. This dual approach helps attract those passionate about the mission and willing to tackle the associated challenges.

7. Prioritise Long-term Fit Over Immediate Needs

Justin’s hiring philosophy prioritises long-term fit over short-term needs. By adhering to the “hell yes or no” approach, Megaslice ensures that only those genuinely enthusiastic and aligned with the company’s culture are brought on board. This reduces turnover and fosters a committed and engaged workforce.

8. Embrace Pain as a Teacher

Experience and past hiring mistakes have taught Justin the value of being stringent in hiring. Avoiding the temptation to sugarcoat the job and being transparent about expectations from the start helps prevent the disappointment and inefficiency that come with poor fits.

Conclusion

Justin Megawarne’s approach to hiring is rooted in authenticity and transparency, ensuring that new hires are genuinely aligned with the company’s culture and ready to meet its challenges. By focusing on attitude, being honest in job adverts and interviews, and fostering peer accountability, companies can build resilient and engaged teams that are in it for the right reasons. Listen to the full episode of Talent and Growth featuring Justin Megawarne for more insights on creating a successful hiring strategy.

Catch the full episode here - www.talentandgrowth.co.uk