Life Is Work - Ep 65 - Hiring: Team FitCo-hosts, Producers:Danielle Stenger Cameron Navarro, LMSW Mel’s Mindful Minute: 33:50Melanie Wilmoth Navarro, LMSW, RYT, TSTSY-FOwner, Lead Facilitator - Whole Moon Wellnesswholemoonwellness@gmail.com Contact Info:WebsiteEmailTwitter Instagram Music:Intro - King Must Die, by Picnic LightningMMM Transitions - Sur, by Picnic LightningOutro - Pa’lante, by Hurray for the Riff Raff Team FitRESULT: To continue our hiring series by exploring the process of determining whether or not a candidate is a good “fit for the team,” some common issues with this process, and how to determine a “good fit” more authentically and with more intention.Camnecdoteteam lunchProtein - Main Event - Topic d’jourTeam FitIntention: To see if a candidate will be comfortable in the team/work culture, and vice versaHow it usually worksPersonality testsEnneagramColorMeyers BriggsStrengthsSome personality type questions during the interviewEx: How do you like to keep your work desk?Do you tend to speak up in meetings or lean back?Describe your work styleHow do you handle conflictLunch with a few people on the team/adjacent departmentsIssuesThere are a lot of “unsaid” culture things at play here. What does it mean to be a good fit?Common things “culture fit” means but are not said (isms) (also reminder to Dan about department at Fidelity)AgeGenderRaceSexual orientationPhysical appearanceSocioeconomic statusExperienceThis can be a problem because it eitherMakes the team real homogeneous (everyone is similar)Or there is a tendency to tokenize peopleRe: personality testsI love personality tests, but if they are used as /the/ determining factor about a person then we are giving them too much powerMy MBTI is very accurate, a good tool to understanding why I am the way that I am, and also it is only part of who I amRe: Personality questions in an interviewIt’s an interview, so it already feels like a testBecause of the environment/general experience of the interview, everyone (including you) will be tempted to provide an answer they think you want to hear, vs. what is authenticRe: Lunch with a few pplThis is actually really nice, the issue is often power dynamics - who is able to attend the lunch has all of the say about the kind of fit the candidate isEven if the candidate is great for the job, it doesn’t mean everyone I. The office will wanna have lunch togetherHow to Do BetterHiring BodiesFirst: rememberIt takes time to really get to know peopleBecause there is inherently a limited time involved to get to know a candidate before hiring them, know that there is only so much you can really learn about a person in that timeBe clear about what you mean by “culture fit”Write them down and make sure you are comfortable with and intentional with themDo this practice as a teamMake sure that the list does not turn out to be you looking to hire another youUse personality tests, but only as a tool - not a deciding factor - and share your ownA general rule at PLLC is to always be willing to model the vulnerability you are asking of other peopleBe clear with yourself on why you are hoping to learn about the person with the personality test - beyond asking for just their number or letters, ask yourself, “what do I wish to learn about the candidate with this tool? How does what I want to know apply to the work culture?”Instead of asking things like, “do you speak up in meetings?” Use situational/preference questions - “tell me about a meeting you thought was really productive. How did you contribute?”Lunch/some other activity the team enjoys doingEnsure the team members this person will work most closely with can go to the lunchNot too large of a crowd - maybe 4-5 peopleTry to find a place where the tables are round so that not only a few people are able to have a conversation (Dan hates rectangle tables)Should be obvious, but pay for the candidates’ lunch!Ensure a curated set of people who will work closely with the candidate if hired have some time to spend with themHear everyone’s input, trust your gut, come to consensus as a groupApplicantAll of the advice above, + remember that you are looking for the right culture fit for yourself as wellThink of questions you can ask that will give you clues to day to day life in this workplaceWhat are the expectations around flexible work time?Listen for:needing to submit time, “special occasions,” as needed, etc. and ask follow up questiosWhat is the standard cadence of team meetings?Listen for: how often, how they are scheduled, what is expected in each meetingHow do we keep each other informed of work projects?Listen for: formal tools (what’s included/involved: biweekly check-in example)What is your decision making process like?Listen for: “when we are told XYZ by another department,” reactivity vs. strategic planning (ex “I just want to do more”)Notice power dynamicsDoes everyone you are speaking ...
