The Oakland Raiders traded for a very talented wide receiver with “a history” with his previous team.
He got into an argument with his team’s defensive coordinator.
He live streamed from the locker room after a game as his head coach was speaking to the team.
He criticized his quarterback to the media.
He complained about the press as being out to get him.
Before the final game of the season, one for which is team needed to win in order to make the playoffs, he left the team practice on Wednesday without telling anyone and only returned Sunday morning. He did not play in that game.
Now with his new team, they had been a variety of episodes, as well.
Zebras don’t change their stripes.
When you check references prior to hiring someone, don’t hesitate to ask about performance interpersonal issues in a very pointed way.
“There are always issues with people on staff. What problems did you have with them?”
“You mean there were no days where they gave you 50% effort? There were no days that you have to challenge them in order to perform at a high level? There is nothing this person ever did wrong?”
You want to hear about something… Anything. Otherwise all you’re doing is hiring a docile employee who will do whatever they’re told and stop thinking years ago.
If you hear more complicated story, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t hire them. You just now have learned something about your potential new hire that they may not have disclosed in your interview.
Check two more references. Know what you’re getting into. Make a conscious decision whether to hire or not hire because zebras don’t change their stripes.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2019
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a career and leadership coach who worked as a recruiter for more than 40 years. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with more than 1500 episodes and his newest show, “No BS Coaching Advice” and is a member of The Forbes Coaches Council.
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