I was recently talking to Head HR of a growing SME (just in words is he an head hr, in action poor guy has not much of a team to head) about the results of the Pre-Employment Scan. For those of you who have already been through the analysis, know that it can tell you about the person's ability to be a team leader. The guy in analysis was someone to be hired for Head of Operations or maybe COO. He marked low on being a team player and high on leadership. Besides this, he was low on cheating and high on positive attitude and creativity and other things that he should have scored a high on. There seemed no doubt in my mind over this guy being hired and I was busy concentrating on my next assignment when the Head HR asked for a chat over this profile. Slightly shocked and curious, we spoke immediately and He asked that what did a score of 2 out of 5 mean for this guy. I explained that they like to lead and not be led. Slightly on the bratty side, One (read the Head HR) can be aware of this trait before hand and give them projects accordingly. Also, since he is being hired for a Head position, it shouldn't matter much. The Head HR didn't say much and asked me if I could understand how good will this person be at customer service. My second shock! Ability to be polite was ok, ego was slightly high and sarcasm and harshness was high, so I told him that he might not be good at customer service. The Head HR sounded sad and gave a sad ok and we said our thank you's and goodbyes.
I couldn't concentrate on my next profile as the link between customer service and Head of operations was not making any sense, so I ended up asking him if I could call. He promptly agreed and I asked him. He didn't seem very amazed at my question and answered that customer service for him is a big quality and he shared the following story.
A Miami prison which had the country’s biggest violence and break-away rates. Its new director has all his staff attend a 4-week customer service course and tells them ‘ok now, you have to treat your inmates as if they were your customers’. Two years later, new statistics come out and this jail now has the lowest violence and break-away rates.
He then added that by giving respect can a person gain it and since theirs is a growing company, they want to ensure that people at COO position are willing to work like a executive till the time the right team is in place. Hence he ensures that no matter what or whom he hires, he needs to check their ego and ability to be polite and work hard. It made a lot of sense. I told him that I will check for these pointers specifically next time I analyse his profiles. He also added that the primary reason for using my services is that they can't figure out such traits by interviews.
I wanted to verify the story and checked on google to find this http://projectesinterns.com/2007/02/page/2/ though this could also be an hawthorne effect where simply because workers were singled out for special treatment and thus perhaps felt more valued or more pressured to perform well but I know that respect is one trait you don't get my asking. You have to have have to earn it. :)
Keep smiling
Keep respecting
Keep loving
Keep sharing!
I couldn't concentrate on my next profile as the link between customer service and Head of operations was not making any sense, so I ended up asking him if I could call. He promptly agreed and I asked him. He didn't seem very amazed at my question and answered that customer service for him is a big quality and he shared the following story.
He then added that by giving respect can a person gain it and since theirs is a growing company, they want to ensure that people at COO position are willing to work like a executive till the time the right team is in place. Hence he ensures that no matter what or whom he hires, he needs to check their ego and ability to be polite and work hard. It made a lot of sense. I told him that I will check for these pointers specifically next time I analyse his profiles. He also added that the primary reason for using my services is that they can't figure out such traits by interviews.
I wanted to verify the story and checked on google to find this http://projectesinterns.com/2007/02/page/2/ though this could also be an hawthorne effect where simply because workers were singled out for special treatment and thus perhaps felt more valued or more pressured to perform well but I know that respect is one trait you don't get my asking. You have to have have to earn it. :)
Keep smiling
Keep respecting
Keep loving
Keep sharing!
