Hiring a person is a project you want to put a lot of care and time into. Because think about it, this is someone you’ll have to see every single workday. You’ll have to work with them all the time and trust that they not only are able to deliver what they claim on their resume—but also trust that they’re not insane in the brain. This process is serious. It’s detrimental. How carefully you choose can determine how smooth or how utterly stress-filled your 8+ hours at work are going to be. You’re dealing with a new personality here—a new perspective, life experiences, beliefs and emotional baggage that may be deep inside or close to the surface. A lot is on the line, even more than people realize, especially when the hiring manager is desperate to get someone new in the role, ASAP!
When I got to a level where I was the one doing the hiring for my department, it was after most of my team slowly but surely disseminated. One by one, they were finding new opportunities elsewhere or just up and left because they weren’t a fan of the change that was happening in leadership—me being hired. At first I was worried, but then I quickly realized that, “this is amazing!!” Essentially, I got to build my own squad, my own support system, create my own work environment! When you have that kind of power, whether you’re the hiring manager or on a team where the hiring manager actually wants your opinion in the hiring process of your potential co-worker, take this opportunity and use it very wisely.
Beyond looking at their ability to actually do the work and do it well, there is one quality that you should be looking for to determine if the person you’re going to hire is the right person for you and your team. That one quality is, does this person have the ability to love. Yes, I said it—LOVE. There are hundreds, if not thousands of people around the world that have the credentials or skills they need to do the job your looking to fill. But what’s really going to matter is their aptitude in the love department—according to the biblical definition of love. Trust me, read through the 1 Corinthians 13 Candidate Checklist and you’ll understand.
First, to figure this out, tailor your interview questions that will help reveal their tendencies and convictions relating to the different components of Love, outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. In addition to that, be sure you’re carefully observing and taking notes on their behaviors and interactions with you and other employees that they’re encountering during the interview process. What are you picking up in their emails, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings. Also, when consulting with the references that they’ve chosen, listen to the deeper message behind what that person says about the candidate. Let’s be real, we all submit references that we know will speak highly of us—but you have to put your discernment hat on to cut through all the praise to pick up on important nuggets that this person isn’t saying.
The candidate you’re seriously looking to hire doesn’t have to master all the love traits, but you should get a sense that this person possesses some of these characteristics. Here are some things to look out for that will help you determine if your potential new hire is the right fit because they know how to love.
1 CORINTHIANS 13 CANDIDATE CHECKLIST
Is Patient: The Bigger Picture Approach
When in challenging situations, does the candidate know how to overlook frustration by looking at the bigger picture?
Is Kind: A Pleasant Person to Be Around
Does the candidate pride themselves on being a no-nonsense straight-shooter A-type of person, or are they someone who airs on the side of grace, care and concern?
Not Envious, Boastful, or Proud: Humble
Has the candidate exemplified a humble personality or do they brag about the greatness that they achieved by themselves with “one hand tied behind their backs?”
Not Dishonoring or Self-seeking: Thoughtful of Others
Has the candidate shown that they respect their previous employer and co-workers, or does the world seem to revolve around them?
Not Easily Angered: Self-Controlled
Do you get a sense that the candidate is dramatic, high maintenance, or overly-emotional, or are they even-keeled, having the ability to think critically first, avoiding impulse reactions?
Doesn’t Keep Records of Wrongs: Not Petty
Does the candidate sound resentful of their past experiences or do they acknowledge previous trials as times of testing and character-building?
Doesn’t Delight in Evil But Rejoices in Truth: Righteous
Does this person prioritize their position, their image, their success, fitting in, and pleasing their leadership, higher than prioritizing purpose and overall doing the right thing for the greater good of others?
Protects: Team Player
Does the candidate not only understand the importance of team playing and possess those skills, but do they have a strong conviction about actually putting their team player abilities into action?
Trusts: Knows How to Follow
Does the candidate not only know how to lead, but are they humble enough to follow—no matter who is leading?
Hopes: Positivity
Does the candidate subtly lean towards the negative perspective of things, or do they show they work and live with purpose and have a vision for their future, for the company, and for their potential new team?
Perseveres: Resilient
Is the candidate able to give examples of how they stayed focused and hard-working towards a goal, despite dealing with hardship. Another way to determine this is how they conduct themselves while pursuing the position at your company.
There are more questions to consider when determining if a candidate is the right one to hire based on their ability to love, biblically speaking. But what I’ve outlined above is a great place to start. Follow this approach and you are more likely to find a new hire that you’ll enjoy working with. Most importantly, as they deliver great work, this person will also be able to shine a positive light on your work environment. That’s when you know you’ve found yourself a winner for the team.
To Powerful Workweeks and Good Morning Eats!
Love,
Yardley
BALSAMIC-ROASTED CABBAGE BREAKFAST
Ingredients
½ head of Red Cabbage
2 Tbsp. Balsamic
3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea Salt + Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
Cut the stem off of the cabbage and peel off the leaves, layer by layer, keeping them whole
Lay and spread the layers of whole cabbage leaves on a lightly olive oil brushed baking sheet
Evenly pour balsamic and olive oil onto leaves, and season with salt and pepper to taste
Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes, periodically checking for doneness
End portions of cabbage leaves should be golden-singed, a sign that the roasting process is complete
Remove baking sheet pan from oven and let cool before plating or feel free to plate immediate and eat while hot
Top cabbage with other breakfast components such as fried eggs and sliced avocado as you see here or cooked beans, lox, and other fixings
Enjoy!
