Sure, he’s not the obvious choice, but he’s been studying and applying leadership principles and getting killer results for more than a decade! Give the guy a chance!
Sometimes when I’m working with my clients, I uncover VERY strong opinions that I didn’t know I had. Recently, I’ve been helping several of my clients hire for key leadership positions, and I’ve come upon a bit of a sticking point. My clients really want to hire a leader with industry experience. And I’ve totally got attitude about it, because...
If you’re looking for an amazing new senior leader, experience in your particular industry probably doesn’t matter.
Yes to being a perfect fit for your company’s culture.
Yes to being a genius at leading people.
Yes to a track-record of getting the kind of results you’re looking for.
But a big, fat NO to requiring experience in YOUR particular industry.
Seriously. It’s just not necessary.
I hear you over there going, “Oh, you don’t understand my industry though. There’s just no way to lead the team without deeply understanding what we do. What about their credentials!”
But hear me out...
You already have industry experts on your team. They’re amazing at what they do. They know the business like the backs of their hands. As my friend Tim Kauffold put it, “Smart companies should let that leader be a student with their team. Let the folks that have tenure with the company teach this new leader. That way, they invest in one another. Build trust. Move forward.”
Bringing in a new, talented-yet-humble leader gives their team a chance to rise to the occasion and lead in their own right.
Or maybe you’re thinking, “But my team would be totally pissed if I hired someone without experience to be their boss. They’d never accept them as their leader. They need to have been in the trenches to truly be accepted by the team.” Honestly? If that’s the vibe you’ve got going on, you need to invest in a strong leader more than ever.
Again, Tim said it best: “Anyone that resents having to teach a new leader about the industry...lacks the humility to lead successfully long term.” The very fact that they’re resistant to outside perspectives is probably a red flag. The culture needs attention and the team needs a mature leader to lead the way.
So if you happen to find a strong cultural fit who’s great at leading and gets results AAAAND has worked in your industry, then congratulations to you. You just hit the magical-unicorn-leader jackpot! 🦄 But if you can’t seem to find the industry experience you’re looking for, please don’t limit yourself. You never know what a kickass leader with a fresh perspective might bring to your team and your business.
Need to get clear on what results and talents you need most from your new leader? Hooray! The Process Mavens can help! (Click the button below and let’s chat!)