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No Turkeys on Staff; How to Hire

By Georgene Waterman

Q    As 2007 gets underway, I want to help my employees get ready. Can you help me with any ideas?

A    Ken Keller, an author of books for chief executives and managers, says that the first thing you need to do is ask yourself if you are soaring with eagles or working with turkeys. Who you fly with dictates where you land. Eagles are focused, determined and motivated. Polite, respectful, friendly, optimistic and family-oriented individuals make good neighbors. Eagles are all around you, so look carefully at your staff to identify who is an eagle and who is a turkey. Eagles take risks; they're people who are going somewhere. They're on a mission and unstoppable in their quest. Eagles have an attitude and formula they apply to their entire life. They've acquired the right skills and established a philosophy that guides their thinking.
    If they lack these essential elements, they know where they must go to acquire them. If they stray off course, they get back on track. Eagles understand that if they plan their future it is more likely to occur than if they drift with the tide of time. Eagles have learned to express gratitude and they do it often. They focus on the important things and strive to reach their written goals. Eagles make themselves understood and treat others kindly, respectfully and with consideration.
    So, are you and your staff turkeys or eagles? Put a plan in place to develop an entire team of eagles. Perform a gap analysis between where you are and where you want to be. If necessary, dump the turkeys off your staff. Be sure everything in your company is current so when opportunities come your way you can take advantage of them.

2007 Roadmap
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