If innovation is top of your business agenda, chances are you’ll need to bring in some expertise. But when it comes to hiring for innovation success, what should you be seeking in a team member?
Here, we look at making the right innovation hire, including:
- Choosing the right candidate
- The balance between skills, attitude and inspiration
- Long-term motivation and why it matters
Why Hire for Innovation?
Innovation is the lifeblood of any forward-thinking organisation. It propels businesses into new markets, improves customer satisfaction, and refines operational efficiencies.
In many cases, successful innovation requires a dedicated role, filled by someone whose primary focus is to execute and manage these changes. But what should you look for in a prospective hire for innovation?
Skills Matter, But Inspiration is Key
While technical skills and experience are essential, it’s also critical to hire an individual who is inspired by the mission of your business.
This intrinsic motivation often outweighs specific technical skills because it ensures that the hire is committed to your company’s vision and success.
A person inspired by your company’s mission is likely to bring unmatched enthusiasm and dedication to their role, which can be pivotal when navigating the challenges of innovation.
Such a person will naturally align with the company’s goals, ensuring not only the successful implementation of innovative ideas but also strengthening customer relations through enhanced service delivery.
The Role of Inspiration in Overcoming Challenges
Innovation is fraught with difficulties. Changes can introduce stresses and disruptions into established processes.
Employees who are not genuinely inspired may struggle under these pressures, leading to subpar performance or project delays.
More often than not, an inspired individual looks at pressure differently. Instead of being bogged down, they see these challenges as stepping stones towards achieving the desired outcomes, making pressures feel more like opportunities than burdens.
Long-Term Motivation: Why It Matters
If you’ve ever needed to continually motivate someone to perform their duties, you know how exhausting and often ineffective this can be.
Temporary motivation might spur a short burst of energy, but it rarely results in long-term commitment or success.
On the contrary, an inspired individual naturally possesses the drive to push through adversity without external motivation.
Their enthusiasm is infectious, as they often inspire those around them to strive for the same collective goals. This is an invaluable asset to any business hoping to innovate successfully.
Choosing the Right Candidate: Inspiration Over Qualification
When evaluating potential hires, companies often weigh qualifications and experience heavily.
While these are important factors, they should not overshadow the candidate’s personal alignment with your company’s core mission and values.
Focus on finding individuals who exhibit a genuine passion for what your company does and who aspire to see it succeed.
Such individuals will not only fit into your company culture but will also bring a new dynamism to drive innovative projects.
More than the job description
The journey to selecting the right innovation hire is about more than just matching qualifications to job descriptions.
It involves identifying those who naturally align with, and are inspired by, your company’s mission and strategic objectives.
By prioritising inspiration over mere expertise, you’ll not only select a candidate well-suited for the role but also bolster your business’s innovative capabilities for long-term growth.
Always remember that an inspired workforce is a productive workforce, ready to tackle challenges head-on and keep your business at the forefront of its industry.
Talk Strategy with Clive
With more than 30 years’ experience in mentoring small to medium-sized businesses around Australia. Clive works with company owners and their teams to grow their business and achieve goals through strategic coaching.
