Hiring Greatness

Chapter 5Finding the Right FitLions Don't Need to Roar

After all, the ultimate goal of all research is not objectivity, but truth.

—Helene Deutsch

Michael and I flew to Milwaukee for the first interviews: Our race to find candidates was over, but the search was still just beginning. We'd combined the “fit” and “face-to-face” interviews to save time for Carl, the Search Chair, and to complete the personal fit portion we hoped to present several dissimilar candidates. It was going to be a busy few days.

At a first interview I have a limited agenda. By this point, Michael and I have already reviewed their résumés and completed Confidential Candidate Briefs (CCBs). We've both talked with them by telephone. Each candidate had passed our preliminary screening. On paper, they're well qualified. Next I want to sell the opportunity while assessing their character.

To understand each candidate as a person we need to understand their story. At a core level, I want to understand their dominant locus of control: Is it internal or external? Listening to their story will give me strong clues. Michael sits next to me on the plane while we review the follow-up questions and decide which of us will interview which candidate while the other takes notes.

Having arrived at our hotel I immediately confirm my arrangements with the front desk manager for refreshments to be at hand for our guests, then head to our conference room to set up. As we only have one meeting today I made a mental note to try ...