Of course, when we hire someone, we want them to stay for a long time—ideally forever. Though this sounds wonderful, it’s not common. That’s because it requires a company or position to be on the same path as the person you hire. That means the person wants to be in that position forever, and the company will need that position forever. Or, where the person wants to grow in their career, the company must simultaneously have that same need.
The Exact Fit – Forever
Years ago, we worked with a fast-growing manufacturing company in Phoenix. The CEO and I were catching up one day when I heard them complaining about how they couldn’t keep anyone in the first impressions role for more than a year. First impressions, you know, that amazing person you say “hi” to when you first walk into the office. The same person who is normally “the glue” of the office. Well, I asked them one key question: “Do those people truly love being in that position?” They gave the common answer, “I don’t know.” So, we did a search, and here were the criteria:
- Experience managing first impressions for a similar operation
- A desire to do that role forever
- An articulate professional
- The capacity and willingness to take on key special projects
Though we found several great people, one in particular really stood out. They were in a similar position and loved the office environment, they wanted the comfort of knowing this role would be there forever, and they wanted to build a professional and intelligent culture. They’ve been in that role for over five years now.
Growth Trajectory
At Potere Search, we work with companies through significant periods of growth, typically starting at $50MM in revenue and growing to $500MM+. These companies are transforming at a rapid rate. They’re a completely different company every year; for some, they’ve transformed every six months. In most positions, they need people who are growing and transforming with them, either growing into new roles or increasing their capacity to meet the demands of the company.
Years ago, we worked with a professional services business that was growing through this phase. They needed a Controller. Their Controller had taken them from nothing to $75MM in revenue, but it was clear they didn’t have the capacity to go beyond that. They needed a leader who could manage accounting for them today and grow into other roles. Their criteria were:
- Significant accounting & finance leadership experience in professional services
- The capacity to grow into the CFO position and beyond
- A steady professional who could inspire the team and work with investors
- The willingness to take more equity for less salary
There were a lot of people excited about the potential of the role, but one person really stood out. They had grown up in their parent’s professional services business, had an impressive MBA, worked with some of the largest companies in the industry, and were on a path to becoming the CFO. That person wanted a role where they could be hands-on before growing into a senior leadership role, a CEO with a clear vision, and an easy commute. That was six years ago, and they’re now the President of the company.
This can be difficult when the demands of the day are in our faces and when we need someone in the position right now. Though, I encourage you to take a step back and consider what you may need in the future. You may need someone in this role forever, or you may need someone to grow beyond this role eventually. Either way, future you will thank you for hiring someone who has stayed in your company for many years.