Reframing the Hiring Process: Fewer Choices, Clearer Criteria
Your quest for perfection while hiring new members for your church staff might surprisingly be a hindrance. If reading this made you do a double take, you're not alone, but the truth lies in the elusive concept of the perfect candidate and the illusion it creates that leads to decision paralysis. If the hiring process feels like an endless cycle of confusion, it's time to rethink.
The Illusion of The Perfect Candidate
The perfect candidate, in reality, does not exist. Instead, you should focus on people with unique strengths, weaknesses, and callings. In most cases, having too many choices leads to decision paralysis. More choices lead your brain from making progress to managing complexity, which inevitably delays decisions or leads to feeling like you are settling for a candidate.
Guiding The Hiring Process Through Clarity
The key to overcoming this conundrum lies in clear criteria and fewer choices. Making a conscious decision to establish clear criteria at the very start of the hiring process sets a path that propels you forward in the candidate selection process.
It's worth asking your team whether you are "hiring for perfection or for purpose?" The purpose lies in meeting the unique needs of your church, and in understanding these needs, you'll have clarity on who the right candidate is. To acquire this clarity:
- Understand who your church is
- Determine what kind of leader your church precisely needs
- Define what 'fit' really means in your context
These questions make it easier to recognize the right person, allowing you to say no to 'maybe' candidates early on.
Challenges for Your Next Church Staff Hire
Try limiting your finalist list for your next church staff hire by saying no earlier, focusing on your church's needs, relying less on loud voices, and moving forward with the right candidate. Things to consider are:
- Prioritizing quality over quantity
- Recognizing the best hire may not have the flashiest resume but the right fit for your church
- Trusting in discernment, prayer, and the courage to move forward with the right decision instead of having 10 options
The message is simple; hiring doesn't need to be overwhelming. You can make confident decisions when you simplify and clarify the hiring process. For more insights on this topic and ways to improve your hiring process, listen to the latest episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode here.
