Attitude & Aptitude

Hello!

When asked what I look for, beyond job skills, when hiring new team members, my answer is always this: “Attitude and aptitude.”

Why?

Attitude means approaching work and collaboration with positivity and a solutions focus. Bringing with you each day an energy that lifts up those around you.

Aptitude means the ability and hunger to continually learn new skills. Searching out what will help the client, team, and company grow.

With those two qualities on lock, you have the essential ingredients of a team member destined for so much more than warming a seat for a solid 8 - one that will propel your mission and business forward.

But how do you accurately assess these traits in interviews and test projects?

For Attitude, I Look for Cues Like:

• Enthusiasm about the role and our mission

• Asking thoughtful questions (not the ones off of a Google search, but REAL, relevant ones. Ones that reinforce their interest in your organization/clients/team.)

• Warm interactions with staff

• Taking feedback without defensiveness or frustration

For Aptitude, Traits Include:

• Quickly learning and applying new concepts and techniques

• Asking for additional training resources

• Sharing examples or instances of self-education/growth

• A mindset of healthy curiosity about industry trends

Vampires Be Gone

We’ve all encountered the occasional “energy vampire” in our careers…

When you hire someone void of the proper dose of attitude and aptitude, even despite strong credentials, experience has shown that there is an increased resistance to learning new programs or methodologies, an increased focus on the flaws of others - rather than self-reflection and growth, and in turn, an environment which brings the team’s overall energy down.

It’s time to break out the stakes, garlic, and holy water… There’s no room for energy vampires in any organization.

The Point?

Skills can be taught, but attitude and aptitude foster a growth mindset.

Make it Your Priority to:

• Hire for culture add not just skill fit

• Assess eagerness to learn and overall positivity

• Encourage opportunities for team members to grow their aptitude

• Praise attitudes that uplift others

Who you hire impacts culture exponentially. Seek attitude and aptitude first and watch them transform for your organization.

Here’s to your growth!

Thank you for sharing this human moment with me. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year.

Kind Regards,

Jim @ Captivation Agency

PS: There’s a real person on the other side of these messages, so feel free to comment back and say hello - I’d love to start a dialogue :-)