Hire smarter than you

We want employees who have integrity, drive, and brains. If they happen to be smarter than us, all the better and we should see them as valuable to our company not a threat or direct competition. However there are a lot of managers who are insecure in what they do, believe they know it all, or feel that no matter what you do feel that they can do it a lot better than you. These people are to be avoided at all costs.

Seth Godin makes a good point in his book Linchpin that today a lot of employees live in fear. They fear loosing their jobs as more and more companies cut back as a way to improve the bottom line. Managers like these are not likely to hire people smarter than them. They more likely feel the need to redo everything you do because they feel they can do it better or they feel the need to undercut you at every opportunity because doing so makes them feel better about themselves.

Here are some good thoughts around smart people;

1. Smart people know how to communicate their strengths. The best cover letter I’ve seen recently was from an Ivy League graduate who focused on her waitressing background. She started working young, fought for her first job despite a lack of experience, and sustained that perseverance as she completed her education. In her description of her blue-collar job, the applicant illustrated the qualities I want to see in my employees.

2. Smart people are efficient and proactive. We have a project manager who strives for a work-life balance and who, with our support, discovered tools and collaboration strategies to achieve that balance. By actively finding ways to work more efficiently, she achieves as much, if not more, than someone whose definition of working hard is working long (often unproductive) hours.

3. Smart people don’t limit themselves to their job descriptions. The most successful people in our company not only handle the tasks outlined in their job descriptions, they perform as if they’re in the job above them. People who anticipate their managers’ needs and execute according to those needs are the ones who get promoted. Smart people don’t say “no” when asked to go above and beyond. Smart people realize their most important job is to help the company expand.

4. Smart people challenge their bosses. When an employee questions the way something is done (or not done) and then offers ideas, the company benefits. Smart people ask challenging questions, have answers ready, and push everyone around them to do better.

Now taking a look at it from another perspective nobody likes a ”smart ass”. Even though you may be smarter than your boss there are ways to do what is best for your brand and company without looking like a know it all. Rather than directly challenge people perhaps it’s best, for example, to ask questions and make recommendations. If you are smarter you need to have a great sense of political communication because the wrong statement at the wrong time can make others think that you are indeed a smart ass and they will go out of their way to put you in your place.

What I have found works best is to act like a mentor and a teacher. First and foremost you need to really listen to what is being said and determine why the person is saying it. Is it ignorance or does someone feel the need to show they are superior to you at all costs ?

Second form a relationship with the person based on trust and honest feedback. Work with them to understand where they are coming from and help them overcome their know it all or I can do it better and cheaper than you attitude. Finally try and understand that although you feel you might be smarter than someone that is not always the case. You might be smarter when it comes to things like online ads and search marketing but the person you’re reporting to may be a better operational manager and they might be able to make things happen faster than you.

To me there is nothing better than getting someone excited by utilizing ideas that you put forward and there is nothing worse than having someone shoot down all of your ideas with “I already thought of that” or “”we’re already doing that”. I have seen some very bright people question their own self worth when they are brought down by people who because they are insecure feel the need to chop your legs out from under you. Know the warning signs and make the decision to leave sooner rather than later because sometimes some people just don’t change.