A woman shows up for a job interview. It’s a management position, but not a high-level one. While she’s waiting, someone drops down in the chair beside her. It’s the legendary head of the company. “Are you here about a job?” he asks. Speechless, the woman nods. The CEO then asks her about the more challenging issues facing the industry. She forces herself to focus and quickly relays some thoughts on the subject. He asks her to elaborate, so she lays out her thinking in detail. When he spots weak points in her argument, she acknowledges them but explains why she’s taking the position anyway. After a bit more spirited back-and-forth, the living legend gets up. “I’ve got to run,” he tells the candidate. “When the human resources people call you in, tell them I’ve just hired you.”
How to Hire Like a Superboss
Find brilliant people in unusual places.
February 09, 2016
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New!
HBR Learning
Attracting and Cultivating Talent Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Attracting and Cultivating Talent. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Discover how to attract, hire, develop, and keep talented people who will grow and thrive throughout their employee journey.