“Avoiding stupidity is easier than seeking brilliance” ~ Charlie Munger.

Greatness takes time. By avoiding common mistakes, we can get there faster.

This list serves as a reminder of hiring mistakes to avoid if you wish to be Great at Talent.

  • Don’t confuse your competence with your ability to identify competence. They are different skills.
  • Don’t assume everyone wants to work for your company. Great candidates take convincing.
  • Don’t wait for the perfect fit. There’s no such thing. Learn to identify the risk in your decision and how to manage it.
  • Don’t look for another you.
  • Don’t create a process that only the best candidate can pass but that is so time-consuming that the best candidates will lose interest.
  • Don’t get too impressed with a candidate’s experience at a well-known company or competitor.
  • Don’t neglect red flags.
  • Don’t skip steps and let the need to “fill a seat” justify bad decisions.
  • Don’t wait to accumulate candidates while leaving a great candidate waiting. They can lose interest and accept a competing offer.
  • Don’t show up for interviews unprepared.
  • Don’t improvise a conversation.
  • Don’t wait for consensus. Define who veto power upfront.
  • Don’t lower the bar. Change the strategy, but don’t compromise.
  • Don’t oversell. Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose. They will know the truth once they join.