The Hidden Power of Self-Awareness in Hiring: A Business Owner's Perspective
In the quest for world-class talent, what truly sets top performers apart? While technical skills and experience are often emphasized, there's a more subtle, yet profoundly impactful trait that underpins the success of the very best: self-awareness.
Self-Awareness Underpins Performance
Self-awareness is more than just a buzzword; it's the foundation upon which many hallmark traits of top performers are built. Consider adaptability: the ability to pivot and thrive in changing environments stems from recognizing one’s strengths, weaknesses, and the situational demands. Or empathy: a deep understanding of others' perspectives and emotions, which is crucial for collaboration and leadership, is rooted in self-awareness. Even the capacity for self-diagnosis, learning, growth, and maintaining a growth mindset—all are deeply intertwined with self-awareness.
Self-Aware Candidates in Interviews
In my experience, candidates who exhibit self-awareness during interviews stand out. They have an almost intuitive ability to gauge when their approach isn't resonating and can pivot, demonstrating adaptability on the fly. This "pattern interrupt" showcases their ability to self-diagnose and adjust—crucial skills in any dynamic workplace. It’s a powerful indicator of how they might perform on the job, where no manual can outline every scenario they'll face.
A Personal Anecdote
Let me illustrate with a real-world example from my time at Flyhomes. We were excited about launching a product, at the time called Flyhomes for Agents and now Sailbridge, that would allow real estate agents to leverage our fintech portfolio, essentially turning it into a platform. However, we initially overlooked how this might be perceived internally as cannibalizing Flyhomes' competitive advantage. It wasn't until we picked up on subtle cues from our colleagues that we realized the discomfort it was causing. This injection of self-awareness, not of my own volition but rather through a group epiphany, ultimately allowed us to pivot our approach, transforming internal stakeholders into advocates and bringing the product to market successfully.
The Role of Empathy
Self-awareness is also the bedrock of empathy. Candidates who understand themselves can better appreciate others' perspectives. In interviews, this translates to responses that address the needs and challenges of the role, rather than merely showcasing the candidate's own skills. It’s a shift from "here's what I can do" to "here's how I can solve your problem," a nuanced but significant difference.
Tips for Hiring Managers
So, how can hiring managers screen for this elusive trait? It's about crafting questions and scenarios that require reflection. Ask candidates to describe a time they failed and what they learned, or how they've navigated interpersonal challenges at work. One of my favorite interview questions is the legendary Peter “What important truth do very few people agree with you on?” question.
Look for signs of introspection, an ability to articulate personal growth, and an understanding of how their actions impact others. These are the hallmarks of self-awareness in action.
Conclusion
In the grander scheme of hiring, self-awareness is more than a desirable trait—it's a linchpin for unlocking potential. From my own journey in building teams and navigating complex business landscapes, I've seen how self-awareness can be the differentiator between a good hire and a transformational team member.
As we seek to build resilient, forward-thinking organizations, let's remember that hiring for self-awareness is an investment in the kind of talent that grows with your company, not just within it. After all, in a landscape that's ever-changing, being attuned to oneself and the world around us might just be the ultimate competitive advantage.