Stop Hiring for Potential. Start Hiring for Impact.
Hiring isn’t just filling a gap. It’s about finding people who will deliver value from day one and still be useful when things shift.
Businesses that focus on proven ability, values alignment, and adaptability outperform those stuck chasing potential alone.
It’s ability, not pedigree, that builds great teams.
Experience matters.
How someone thinks, solves problems, and adapts matters just as much.
But make no mistake: you cannot build a business on potential alone.
High-performing businesses know this.
They hire people who can add value from day one and grow with the company as it evolves.
Hiring for Today’s Needs and Tomorrow’s Growth
The best interviews go beyond a CV.
They test how someone solves real problems, deals with pressure, and learns on the fly.
A simple, powerful question:
"Tell me about a time you had to learn something completely new. What was the challenge, and how did you approach it?"
This reveals how someone thinks, acts, and owns their development.
But it only matters if they already have the core skills you need today.
Startups and small businesses don't have time for long ramp-ups or hand-holding.
You need people who can add value from day one not just people with "promise."
"Not Every Hire Needs to Be a Star. But Every Hire Must Deliver"
You don’t need a team of unicorns.
You do need people who are competent, reliable, and ready to contribute.
Some roles demand leadership and strategy.
Others need consistency and calm execution.
Both are critical.
If you’re bootstrapped, you can't afford passengers.
You need people who can do the job now, who want to grow with you, and who bring energy not extra headaches.
Hiring someone purely for potential is a luxury most businesses can’t afford.
How Talent Tactics Approaches Hiring
I help businesses move past outdated practices that waste time and kill momentum.
Here’s what works:
For Interviewers:
✔️ Plan structured interviews that test real skills
✔️ Let candidates do 80% of the talking
✔️ Stay focused and present. No phones. No distractions
✔️ Make interviews low-stress to see true capability
✔️ Prioritise proven ability to perform now; bonus points for adaptability
✔️ Check for values alignment and culture add
✔️ Use a scoring matrix to keep decisions fair and grounded
For Candidates:
✔️ Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
✔️ Be ready for video interviews with good tech and setup
✔️ Show real impact with examples and numbers
✔️ Interview the employer too. Find the right fit for you
Hire Smart or Struggle Later
The businesses winning the talent game aren’t the ones chasing flashy CVs or future promise.
They’re the ones who know what they need, find people who can deliver it now, and build genuine relationships from day one.
Confused about your next hire?
Get a quick sanity check with a Power Hour or step back and check your whole hiring setup with a Taster Session.
Book here:
👉 Power Hour: https://cal.com/lindsay-ferry-xncnv1/power-hour-session
👉 Taster Session: https://cal.com/lindsay-ferry-xncnv1/discovery-call
Thought-Starter for You:
Are you being brutally honest about what you actually need from your next hire?
Or are you secretly hoping someone "grows into" the job?
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