Once you have a ascertained that the candidates you are interviewing have the skill set you require them to have, what personal attribute do you look for? I suggest you look for Grit.
Angela Lee Duckworth speaks of Grit as a strong indicator of success. Grit is a combination of passion and perseverance for a very long term goal. Someone with grit shows stamina and the ability to work tirelessly toward a future reward despite any setbacks. They are able to keep their eyes on the prize.
With all things equal, grit is something that is not necessarily measurable but is a quality that you can detect in people when you talk to them. People with grit tend to look at life as a marathon with a long term reward rather than a sprint with short bursts of effort for instant gratification.
During the hiring process, leaders who seek people with grit will gain from asking candidates for personal stories from past experiences where they were committed to a longer term goal. An illustration where focus and sustained effort were required over a long duration of time will help the leader to see potential for grit.
Once you have a candidate that has grit, it doesn’t mean that you won’t need to provide clear direction, validation and encouragement along the way.
Are you looking to cultivate grit within your team? Contact Forge Coaching and Consulting at (905) 873-9393 to learn more.