Important Words When Creating a Team

Attitude and Aptitude. Do members of your team have the right attitude and aptitude to stay relevant in today's technology realm? Rather than making this a long post, let me simply say and encourage this: Find people who have these two key attributes - it will save you a great deal of effort and strain as your organization grows and adapts to meet organizational needs.

In the technology world, we clearly need people who have mastery in different areas. However, when we ask questions to see if someone has the exact level of expertise and experience that demonstrates, in some empirical way, that the candidate knows how to do exactly what we're asking, we risk finding people who can adapt and who can serve. The problem is technology changes at alarming rates - the questions we ask are out dated almost as soon as we ask. Further, we need to identify people to reflect our core values, service perspective, and promote good will. The better attributes to asses are attitude and aptitude. Here is my quick assessment matrix that has served me well in evaluating new hires (or those ready for promotion):

Attitude:
- does this person demonstrate they will take ownership of the technology area or areas of need?
- does this person demonstrate they understand IT is a service first organization, and will they reflect a 'can do' attitude, even in the face of adversity?
- does this person know how to professionally challenge ideas and direction?
- will this person take the 'high road' and represent themselves, the department, and the organization in a proactive/positive way?

Aptitude:
- does this person demonstrate that they can 'figure things out'?
- can this person show they have a logical and pragmatic way of addressing an issue?
- does this person show they have the ability to change direction and apply what they've learned?
- does this person demonstrate they understand how to relate what they know to the different audiences they will serve?

If you can take these two attributes and find ways to incorporate into your review and assessment process, you will be well served.

Technology is easy when you build the right teams!

Blessings always
John