Building a team (the right team) is hard. Navigating stacks of resumes, reading cover letters, and doing multiple interviews is time consuming. Though, the people that hire well have teams that make things look easy.
Great leaders know that hiring and investing in talented people with the right mindset and skill sets can take things from ordinary to extraordinary. When navigating in the ‘sea of sameness,’ great people, especially when on the same team, often accomplish amazing feats.
Jobs did it
Steve Jobs was known to spend the majority of his time hiring. As the CEO of Apple, he made sure to be close to the hiring process. Jobs prioritized hiring because it was so important to him and the success of the business.
He’s often quoted:
"It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do."
"The greatest people are self-managing. They don't need to be managed. Once they know what to do, they'll figure it out.”
"I've built a lot of my success off finding these truly gifted people and not settling for B and C players.”
Jobs knew if he found A-players that he would be creating a competitive advantage for Apple. Looks like he did okay (as I type on my and glance at my iPhone).
The shift
We’re seeing this shift everywhere. Procurement is no different.
Top spots at well known brands are difficult to land. A-players are finding success because they stand out. It also means they’re hiring like-minded team members, other A-players. The bar has been raised. It’s not enough to have a degree, certifications, or have experience in the field doing the work. Next-generation procurement leaders want teams that will level up the function.
Perhaps you’ve heard me talk about this before, but it’s worth highlighting the foundational traits these leaders are seeking:
Business Acumen: Leaders want players that know how businesses run. Why the company exists, what the company does, and how the company works.
Technology Literacy: Leaders want players that know how to use modern technology. What new tech is available, how to implement it, and why it works for their business.
Relationship Building: Leaders want players that have big networks and are well connected. What makes people tick, how you can help people out, and why people-focused is the best approach.
In short, leaders are looking for A-players who don’t just know how to do the work, they’re looking to evolve the work. Bar raisers.
Time to level up.
See you next week,
Mat
ps. Two very short videos of Steve Jobs discussing recruiting and hiring.
