Why not hire someone just like you?

Let me ask you a question: If you were building a championship professional baseball team, would you want to sign long term contracts with a team full of Cy Young pitchers or Gold Glove fielders with lots of finesse but not much power or hitting ability at the plate?

That would be interesting but probably not practical considering it would be difficult to score any runs. Or what if most members of your baseball team were designated hitters possessing tons of home run power but lacking any semblance of fielding and throwing finesse? Again, probably not the winning formula.

What makes the most sense is building a balanced team, one that covers all the gaps and gives you players who know how to hit the long ball, bunt, throw AND pitch.

Now keep thinking along these lines. What if, building out your division or sales team, you realize that you are hiring all or mostly people with one personality type? For an easy example, people with a personality a lot like yours.

It is common knowledge that we human beings tend to identify and embrace in other people those qualities we recognize in ourselves. This is not necessarily a bad thing. But by doing it, are you building a team very strong in one area with holes in other areas? Does your team have the ability to sell, analyze deals, interact with customers and manage behind-the-scene facets of your business?

It has been our experience over the years that most hiring managers are very good at what they do in their core business. Sometimes, however, they can use some help with hiring a well-rounded team, capable of balancing strengths and weaknesses. Believe us, it is easier said than done and one of the primary reasons recruiting firms exist!

Any recruiting firm worth their phone jack can offer an objective, third-party perspective on a potential hiring situation. So consider another professional point of view on your team's balance when you're ready to hire. No one's perfect… but a team can be. After all… wouldn't it be great to win the World Series?