Great leaders who experience extraordinary service on multiple occasions by an individual provider are sometimes moved to action. They know how rare truly great service is and the talent it takes to deliver it.
More importantly, they are always on the search for talent, no matter where it might be. Somewhat surprisingly, those leaders often attempt to hire the provider on the spot for a service role in their own organizations.
The point is not about poaching talent from other organizations. Good leaders are respectful about engaging talent linked to competitors or affiliated organizations. They don’t run around making job offers to anyone with skill who will listen.
However, they do maintain a strong commitment to keep their eyes open and to recognize talent wherever they see it. By establishing a conversation with special people, they leave the door open for possibilities in the future.
The constant search for talent is what great leaders do.
In every conversation with someone who is exceptional at what they do, they ask themselves how this person might contribute if they were on the leader’s team. They don’t wait for open positions and official searches to begin looking for talent. They are always on the hunt, combing the landscape for rare and exceptional people. Ask a talent hawk who the search team might consider for a role, and they will likely give you a list.
When it comes to the formal recruiting processes in their own enterprise, they get involved, even with the most junior of hires. If talent is really the building block for organizational success, how can they do otherwise? They don’t simply delegate talent selection to the recruiting team. Instead, they support that team by their willingness to interview anyone at any level.
When the busiest and most experienced leaders commit their time and energy in every aspect of the recruiting process, it sends a loud and important message to the larger organization. It says people are the most critical resource of this or any organization and who we select as our colleagues is perhaps the most important role anyone might play.
How involved are you in the selection of talent in your organization? As you meet new people in the course of living your professional and personal life, are you attentive to those who possess exceptional skill and talent? Perhaps nothing satisfies a great leader more than unearthing new talent.
They know that with more talent, the possibilities are endless.
A Daily Dispatch from the Front Lines of Leadership.
