Looking for diversity is the wrong thing to do in team work

What leadership books get wrong about teamwork and hiring

There are so many books on leadership, and they all say the same thing “you will have a tendency to hire people like yourself. Don’t do that, try to hire people that are different than you to get better perspectives”

I did that in the past. I looked for people who were different from me. Who had different skill sets and interests. Honestly speaking, I have no idea how entrepreneurs would ever find anyone that is similar to them that would be willing to take an employee role…

Anyway, I still missed a key component.

I was accepting that they did not have the same drive as I have. And of course, they are not owning the business, so why should they care as much?

But even when I gave out shares, compensation packages or provision pay, it didn’t make a difference.

Most people I’ve worked with seem to have a different perspective on life. They don’t get as excited by ownership as I do.

That is part of the problem.

• We want people who are different than ourselves to give another perspective on problems. But they also need to have an internal motivation to do an amazing job. That quality should always be there, no matter what.
• And we want people where the work environment you create is motivating to them. More than one person has called working with me “The Rasmus experience”. I’m quite sure that is said tongue in cheek but even so, it’s a two sided coin. I’ve come to realize that most people will not enjoy working with me, because the work environment is somewhat unique.

Controlling these two parts are critical in the recruitment process! How do I do it?

I do it through these steps:

Firstly, I ask for the portfolio of the person before interviewing them. I check if their work lives up to what I expect, depending on their experience and education.

Secondly, In the interview, I firstly. check that they can conduct themselves, dress appropriately and be pleasant to be around.

Thirdly, I ask them what motivates them and where they want to go in their lives. This job will not be the last one they have, so where do they want to go? Where does this job fit with their career plan?

I will tell them what the job is like. I will say?

1. it’s hard
2. they will be pressured by me
3. that they are expected to take responsibility
4. they should grow as a professional and become better every week
5. I might mention that half of the people that start working with me will quit within a week or so. But the ones that stay will always get a good job after their time with me.

Lastly, when they start working, I will throw them in the deep end directly. I will give them difficult and complicated tasks right away, and give them leeway to solve the tasks themselves. I will be there as a support and I will check up on them, usually every day. But I intentionally give them plenty of things to do in order to see how they cope.

Between every meeting, they should show signs of more and more self reliance. Less basic questions of right or wrong behavior on their side, and instead more discussions with me about how to improve and do things better.

US Marines?

The last part is more or less like the US Marine corps is said to do when recruiting. Here is my recap of the story, told by Simon Sinek:

At a high school recruitment event, the US branches of warfare were having stage time. First the Navy goes up, and explains their benefits of joining and what it’s like to be a sailor. Second, the Army goes up and say that the navy is kind of chill, and that the army is more tough. Then the army guy goes through the benefits and what it’s like, just like the navy recruiter did.

Then the Marine Corp rep comes up and stands silent. He looks at the crowd and says: Nope, I don’t want any of you. You have to understand that being in the marine corps is one of the most physically and emotionally difficult things you will ever have to do. And I don’t think anyone in this room is strong enough to be in MY Marine corps.

If you think I’m wrong, come see me at the back of the room after this talk.

Summary

When you look for people to work with, look for qualities of growth, hard work and that their motivation will fit with the type of work environment you offer them. Then you will see success, not by looking for diversity (you will get diversity anyway, because motivated people come in all shapes and forms).