Commitment compliments competence

I was still a student when I attended a sermon where the key part of the message related to the commitment you display in serving. You rather allocate a task to someone who is committed to the task, than potentially the person that is best skilled or equipped for the specific task.

 

This was 20 odd years ago and there must be a reason why, to this day, I still remember this? Now that I have to manage people and processes for a living, my actual work has shifted from “doing” to a more “controlling” scenario. I am constantly looking for people who has a certain trait, skill, or competence to ensure that  the job gets done, but more often than not I find that the person who excels at the task is the one who grinds it out. The person who’s heart is in it, who believes in the bigger picture and knows that he or she does not know it all, and has to prove something.

 

So, what is it that we look for to ensure we get the “perfect” employee?

• Commitment and dedication – invest in people who are in it for the long haul. People who want to be there, not just for the salary
• Passion – love what you do. And while you don’t, work through the rough patch to get to the point where you love it again
• Team company – I enjoyed this question quite a bit in recent times: “Are you team company or team employee?” there is probably no incorrect answer, but if all employees are team company, then everyone wins. 
• Inner motivation – the drive to succeed by self-motivation is something that cannot be taught. Be sure that your staff think for themselves and buy in to what you want them to achieve.

I am not discounting skills, as a general understanding of the subject matter as well as relevant experience always goes a long way.

It would be of greater value for me to appoint someone with the characteristics above than someone with all the skills in the world, that cannot execute, adapt, or work for the bigger Cause. A skill can be taught, character flaws are permanent.