Today’s bonus tracks: How necessary is “nice?”
Over at Punk Rock HR today, Laurie throws out a thought-provoking question about the role “likability” should play in a hiring decision. “How can you hire a nice person but avoid the trappings of sexism, racism, and other illegal behaviors? Can you hire someone who isn’t the strongest candidate but is 100% nicer than best and most qualified candidate?”
My take: Being “likable” is a qualification, for many jobs at least. You don’t have to rely on your gut, though, to determine if someone has the right personality for a job. It should be evident in their accomplishments, or lack thereof. True jerks tend to have a hard time being effective, at least over the long haul.
Image credit, Entienou, via iStock
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Tags: office culture, Recruiting, unemployment
Categories: General Management
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Posted by Dan McCarthy on July 30th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Awesome discussion over at Punk Rock on likability. As always, Laurie knows how to stir up a good debate. My 2 cents:
I’m with the “cultural fit” camp. Poor cultural fit is the single biggest reasons externally hired managers derail. That could mean too nice or too nasty.
Personally, I’m always going to hire nice people. But I’d never work for a cut-throat company.