Hire humans

You hear it everywhere – everyone says it – “Always hire stars”.

This wonderful piece of advice is offered by just about everyone, and it is totally wrong.

I see companies all the time advertising for people all across the country and even internationally for quite mundane roles.

Let’s go through the basic reasons

1) Get a grip – there are only so many truly talented people out there, the rest are ordinary humans.

2)      What makes your company attractive to a highly talented individual? Salary, opportunity, equity? If they are truly any good then why aren’t they working in a highly paid job.

3)      Are you or your business “stars”?  (sorry, but I genuinely doubt it)    

4) A business doesn’t run on its stars – it runs on normal people with normal intelligence  and skills performing their normal job – following normal procedures. If you require superhumans to make your business work then your business model is broken.

I’m a big advocate of hiring good people locally and promoting good people from within (if you have them.) It’s amazing what giving a bit of authority and encouragement to a person will do.

If the position description would require a star to perform it, then try looking at the core duties and breaking it into 2 or 3 separate roles that would only require a normal person.

If your business model requires superhumans or stars to work, then its time to change your business model.

Don’t believe the hype, believe in people instead.