People are the greatest strength of every company. Great products are designed and manufactured by people. Market-winning sales strategies are created and executed by people. Financing is obtained and budgets managed by people. Acquisitions and contracts are negotiated by people. The adage, “nothing happens until somebody sells something”, might better read, “Nothing happens until there is somebody to sell something”. Unfortunately, many leaders don’t fully understand this and regard their people as just part of the productive machinery of the firm. This causes them to under-allocate attention, benefits, development, and recognition for their employees.
Every person that joins your company impacts not only the current operation but changes the potential of your company. They possess gifts and talents far beyond the job we hire them to do. Many are not apparent during an interview and come as a bonus of the new hire. Some have strengths in relationship building, others are intuitive. Some are examples of hard work and integrity. Some individuals have gifted intellects, while others possess untested leadership qualities. Many of these attributes go far beyond the written job description.
We hire people to perform specific functions ranging from leading a team to serving our customers. When we hire a new employee, we get the whole person including their unseen gifts, knowledge, and abilities beyond the job expectations. For example, a new engineer may also be tremendously motivated to serve the community where the firm resides. A new service representative’s bright spirit may not only serve customers well but also be a morale boost for a discouraged department.
When new hires exercise their gifts, new opportunities emerge for the company. Some may challenge the status quo. Others share best practices or process improvements they experienced in previous positions. They perform their new roles with diversity of thought, creativity, and experience that can change the company’s approach. For example, through previously acquired customer insights, a new employee might suggest changing company procedures to enhance service delivery. Or, a new hire’s fresh perspectives on sales compensation could initiate changes that increase motivation and performance. Embracing the talents of new people and being open, will unlock possibilities of positive change for the company.
One cautionary note: new hire changes might not always be positive. If careful screening is not executed for every hire, people who look good on the surface may bring poisoned attitudes and disruption to the firm. A carefully developed and faithfully executed screening process should protect the company from negative changes caused by bad hires.
In large or small ways, each new person can change the potential of your company. Whether in the scope of their new position or through attributes they possess, new employees offer potentially positive and substantive change. An appreciation of their unique gifts can unlock that potential and benefit the firm, families and the communities you serve.
For more reading on how people can thrive in your company, pick up a copy of my book, Take Care of Your People: The Enlightened CEO’s Guide to Business Success.