As my husband and I recently worked on a puzzle, it struck me that hiring is a lot like putting a puzzle together.

When we get a new puzzle, we trust that we have all the pieces we need to create the image on the box. However, that’s not always the case. As you know, sometimes pieces are missing, they fall on the floor, or the dog runs off with one. 

The same is true for hiring. We trust that we have all the pieces we need in our business, but we’re really not certain. They’re scattered all over the table, in no discernible order, and we’re not really sure how they fit together. 

When we start assembling our puzzle, we might have the right piece in our hand, but it all depends on how we turn that piece and what other pieces are already put together. Sometimes we try to fit a piece in a spot that doesn’t quite fit, but if we turn it just a quarter turn, that piece slides right into place with ease.

It’s the same with hiring. You think you have all of the pieces, but there may be one or two missing, and you’re also not quite sure how they fit together.

When working a puzzle, you always want to make sure that you’re working on a flat, level, and solid surface. The foundation is essential, otherwise, you won’t be able to complete your puzzle without pieces snapping apart and flying about.

The first and most important piece of the hiring puzzle is to have a strong foundation, too. This foundation is made up of our core values, the beliefs that we hold about what it’s going to take to work together effectively as a team. Getting clear on your values is one of the keys to hiring the right people for your team every time.

Values by Design

I recently sat down with my friend Lindsay Harle to talk about hiring on her podcast, Businesses Are People, Too! A Podcast! We discussed some of the things that are important to the hiring process and areas where business owners often make mistakes.

We talked about how, just like people, businesses have values and belief systems, too. If you’re not intentionally choosing the values and beliefs you want to build the foundation of your business on, they’ll still exist…but by default rather than by design.

I want you to really think about the values of your business. What’s most important to you, what does your business stand for (or against), what’s non-negotiable in your business. Take some time to intentionally choose and create the foundation upon which you will build the rest of your business and your team.

The Belief-Driven Employee

In the aftermath of the pandemic, and the heightened awareness and activism around social and racial justice, we’re witnessing what’s being called the rise of the “belief-driven” employee.

The power balance has shifted to employees and employers must take note of and understand what employees truly want in order to attract and retain top talent. 

These belief-driven employees are putting a much stronger emphasis on values alignment, as a 2021 study by the Edelman Trust Barometer found. Of the individuals surveyed who are changing jobs, the top 3 reasons why they’re leaving or looking to leave are:

59% of people want a better fit with their values:

• Want a job that’s more personally fulfilling 

• Want to go where they feel more valued 

• Want something entirely new

• Want more continuous learning

• Want a more socially engaged organization 

• Want a more inclusive culture

50% of people want a better fit for their lifestyle:

• Want better work-life balance

• Want a job less likely to lead to burnout

• My employer requires that I return to an office

• Want a safer workplace

• Too difficult or unsafe to work in the country where I was/am employed

And only 31% of people want better pay or career advancement:

• Looking to earn more money or get better benefits

• Looking to move up and advance my career

People have realized that life is tenuous and they’re not going to settle for just any ol’ job anymore. They want to work for companies whose values align with theirs. Which means, you need to be clear about what your values are and share them with others.

The Impact Ripple

When you think about the values you have in your business, think about the impact that you’re creating and who may want to come along on that journey with you. Those are the people who will be invested in your vision, your business, and your collaborative success. Those are the people who will love your business, (almost) as much as you love it (because no one will ever truly, truly love your business the way you do). 

I talk about this more in The Hiring Impact Ripple article, which explores the impact we create when we hire. We’re not only impacting ourselves, our business, or even the one team member we hired…but we’re impacting every single person that individual touches in their life.

If you’d like to see an example of our own Impact Ripple, visit our About page, where you can see SproutHR’s values, beliefs, and commitment to creating a bigger impact in the world.

Final Thoughts

You can hire people all day long and find good people, who show up, do their work, and go home at the end of the day. However, if you want people who show up with a fiery passion in their belly, go above and beyond what’s expected, and who will love your business like you do, it’s essential to communicate your vision and values to attract and hire them.

I believe we can hire people who are invested, committed, and want to see our businesses thrive and succeed because they believe in the vision and impact that we are creating together in this world. You must be willing to let them see what that vision is, what your values are, and how they will be a meaningful part of it all. 

What are your core values and what is the impact that you’re striving to create in this world? Get really clear on those foundational pieces and the pieces of your hiring puzzle will come together to create a beautiful image right before your eyes.

Authored by Ashley Cox, PHR, SHRM-CP