While all employees play an important role in attaining the progress and success of a company, those who belong to the top level executive positions are especially accountable to either the success or failure of the business. Their subordinates would just focus on applying their expertise on their respective jobs but the corporate executives are those who experience headaches from making, justifying, and implementing tough decisions.
Employees working under each of these executives’ department might just do their best to perform the tasks given in their job description, but they still rely on the decisions and approval of the upper tier management.
Executive positions may sound as prestigious career titles, but their responsibilities in the company are pretty challenging. They set rules, policies, goals and procedures for the whole team. They make sure that all of these are well-implemented and met. They oversee different aspects of the business such as operations, finances, marketing, technology, and HR. To make sure the company is always on the right track, they monitor current market trends and try to predict where the business is headed in the years to come. Learn more about that here.
So, if you’re carefully picking candidates even for entry-level jobs, you’ll surely never put just anyone for the executive positions. You’ll definitely choose those who make the cut above the rest. Remember, those in the upper tier positions could make or break the success of your company.
Look Beyond Education and Experience
No matter how brilliant that guy is, no matter where he’s come from or how many college degrees and post-graduate degrees he’s finished, if his personality doesn’t fit well with the rest of the team he’s going to work with, it would just sabotage the company’s productivity and progress. In the end, everyone would be unsatisfied in the workplace and this would largely impact the company.
You’ve probably heard the popular line that many employees say. “The job is challenging, but I can do it. I’m up for it. But the workmates are just the ones I couldn’t take.” If there’s no harmonious relationship between the management and the workers, you’ll see those employees walk out one by one when the chance arises for them.
So, when pooling candidates for the executive positions, look beyond education and experience. Try to discern a candidate’s personality. You can do this by asking the right questions. Ask situational questions that would gauge the candidate’s level of understanding about the position he’s applying for. His answers that show how he would face that situation would give you hints on his beliefs, principles, and personality. Also, why not tour him around the office to see how he interacts with other employees?
Bonus tip: While it’s an old hiring technique, calling several character references is still a great way to get to know a candidate more.
Clearly Defining Your Company Culture is a Must
If you want to choose the right corporate executives whose personalities would most likely fit well with the rest of the team, then you should clearly define your company culture. A company culture is the general personality of a company. This is composed of the company’s goals, mission, vision, ideals, and philosophies.
When candidates have a clear understanding of the company culture, they can determine whether they’re on the same page with you, or they expected something else. After all, it’s all about how corporate executives value company culture. Most executives view it as a crucial aspect of their career life. We have different preferences, personalities, and attitudes. So, you’d likely settle for a company that exudes a personality similar to yours.
To help a candidate get a clearer picture of your company culture, you can ask him if he would like to assume the job for a day. He would then learn more about your company and the responsibilities he’s going to handle. Through this, he’ll see if this is the company he would be motivated to help achieve milestones with in the future.
Bonus tip: Ask about the applicant’s interests, even the non-job-related ones. His interests might just be a perfect fit to the company culture.
Choose your corporate executives wisely as based on his education, expertise, experience, personality and your company culture. Your business will thrive when you do so.