One of the most important things a leader does is approve the hire of the people on
the team. Each addition is a critically important decision because the people that
join your team will determine the success of the team. The team will prosper when everyone is
aligned with one another and working together. On the other hand, a poor hire can negatively
affect the camaraderie and results of the team. A new hire candidate must understand your
company values and what you believe are non-negotiable prerequisites to being a teammate. The
new person must agree that they will endorse and follow your company vision and values. When
the leader and the new employee agree and can align expectations in the most important issues,
the new teammate will be much more likely to be a good fit for the team.

Once you get past the vision and values hurdle, a new hire must understand the roles and
responsibilities for which they are being hired. Whenever possible, finalists should “sit in the
chair” for a few hours with their supervisor or another employee, actually observing and seeing the
job they will be asked to do. By doing this, the leader ensures the interview finalist truly
comprehends the job. You don’t want them to have any surprises!

A new hire needs to be mentored and trained in their first three month on the job. Conditioning
the habits of a new employee starts in those first few weeks. Daily training for no more than an
hour, then involved in the job duties, with the supervisor coaching each assignment they do. The
supervisor and the employee must “walk together” in the early days. And the supervisor, or a
competent employee in the same role, must model what good work performance looks like until
competence is achieved.

Finally, every employee must have clear key measurements they are accountable for to achieve.
Just like after hours sports and games such as bowling or scrabble, every employee feels better
when they know the score. They want to know if they’re doing a good job! The leader must set
defined expectations for the employee and allow the employee to score themselves every week.
And when the employee achieves good results, the leader should recognize and praise the
teammate.

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? For a leader, the team and a new employee, it will
always work better when they are agreed! And God’s Word always leads us to better results when
we listen and follow his advice!