Hey there ,

So, I did something pretty cool last Thursday – I got to see the new Minecraft movie a day before its official UK release!

And let me tell you, it was awesome.

My son was slightly mortified by my enthusiasm, but hey, what can I say? I'm a fan! 😉

Anyway, something about the movie got me thinking about hiring.

It turns out that Jack Black wasn't originally intended to be the main character, Steve. He was meant to be more of a supporting role.

But the producers quickly realized they needed his energy, his talent, and his undeniable screen presence to really bring the story to life.

He was "elevated" to a much more central role, and it was a brilliant move.

This got me thinking about how often we make a similar mistake in hiring.

We get so focused on looking externally to fill new roles that we completely overlook the talent we already have within our own teams. We sometimes miss the hidden gems right under our noses, the ones who might not fit the traditional mold for a new hire but possess a unique spark that can ignite our company.

Here's the hiring lesson I took away from the Minecraft movie:

• Don't overlook internal talent: Before rushing to external recruitment, take a good look at your existing team. You might be surprised by the hidden potential.
• Identify the spark: What unique qualities does each team member possess? What makes them stand out? Could they work well, add value, get up to speed quickly in this new role?
• Be open to elevating someone: Sometimes the best person for a new role is someone already working for you, who just needs a chance to step up. You can backfill their role, especially as you know what success already looks like given they're doing the role.
• Trust your gut: If you have a feeling that someone has the potential to be a star, even if they're not the 'typical' candidate, perhaps just give them a chance.

Just like the Minecraft movie producers realised the power of Jack Black, you might discover that your most valuable hires are the ones you least expect – and they might already be on your payroll!

Happy Hiring!

Helen

P.S. Ready to find your own Jack Black and build a truly dynamic team? Let's chat! Reply to this email or book a free strategy call here.