Top Guide Posts for this week discuss Top Voices, Bias and Loses

LinkedIn Selects Due North as a Top Voice!

Ok, I realize that the image is a bit cheesy but as it was Sunday afternoon, I thought I would have a little fun with it.

Being recognized for the content we create means a lot to a classically trained marketer turned recruiter.

We try to share insights that are different than the common orthodoxy about what is happening in the talent market, economy and beyond.

Why do we do it?

The average person spend 90,000 hours at work during their life. That's over 10 years of one's life! More if you consider only waking hours.

Our careers aren't just what we "do" from day to day. They are an extension of our very being.

That's why many people say "I put my heart into it" when they really care about an accomplishment.

So, as long as the LinkedIn community continues to like our content for helping inform them, we will continue to produce it.

Oh, and seriously, hit the "like" button!

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Response Bias

Response Bias occurs when someone is asked a question in which the response may reflect poorly on the respondant's behaviors, thoughts and/or feelings.

One example would be when your doctor asks you about your diet or alcohol consumption. Of course we all eat healthy and never more than a drink per day. Right?

Another example is when asked about brand preferences. Say you were asked about your choice of beer. You may really enjoy a the taste of certain brand but because of its affiliation with various causes, you state a completely different brand.

Response Bias is precisely what makes surveys and polls so difficult. The difference between stated and actual behaviors can lead to really skewed results.

The same is true in employee surveys. If employees believe that their responses will somehow be traced back to them, they will only offer the responses that are deemed acceptable by senior leadership.

And believe it or not, most employees do not believe assurances that their responses are completely anonymous.

As a result, we all need to reasonably question the accuracy of polls and surveys. We should ask if the results really accurately reflect what is happening. Or are we being told what the respondant thinks we want to hear.

What have you lost?

This morning I realized that I had lost my wallet. It happened while running like a lunatic through a massive thunderstorm after dinner with friends.

After getting angry at the situation, I quickly locked all the credit cards and asked for replacements.

Then came the task I most dreaded.

Going to the Minnesota DMV for a replacement license.

When I arrived they said that it would be a 1 to 2 hour wait. I sighed but resigned myself to the fact I was also going to lose 1 to 2 hours of my time.

After a short time, 2 women asked if they could sit in the seats next to me. They were from out of town and discussing restaurants. I suggested one that I know pretty well (and my daughter just started working there). They thanked me as they left.

I also saw a beautiful 2 month old baby and spoke with her mother.

I saw a DMV worker help a non-english speaking man.

I saw a young couple apply for a wedding license.

I say a young man getting his driver's license.

And then my number was finally called. When I left, I really didn't feel like I had lost something. I felt that I had shared some very important moments in other people's lives.

I felt that I had actually gained something.

So, in those moments of loss that we all have, ask yourself...

What did I gain?

Chris Gustanski – Founder and Lead Talent Guide

Chris is a classically trained marketer with over a decade of executive search experience. He moved into recruiting because he was someone that was frequently recruited and was tired of recruiters hounding him to consider roles they didn’t understand, and he wasn’t interested in pursuing. He was determined to disrupt Executive Search to deliver a better result and experience for companies and the commercial talent they need.?After over a decade seeing the dysfunction in executive search firms large and small, he formed Due North Executive Search in collaboration with his wife Amie.

To learn more about how Due North can help you build World Class Commercial teams click here to schedule a meeting.