Assessing the Whole Package: Key Qualities to Consider When Expanding Your Startup Unicorn
Rebuilding a High-Performing Startup Dream Team: Beyond the Resumé
Let's face it - to build a successful startup, hiring the right team is as crucial as having a ground-breaking idea. But, what does it take to find those adaptable go-getters with an entrepreneurial zest? For any first-time founder, it's a tough nut to crack.
When Unicorn Founder Leigh Jasper was embarking on his construction technology startup, Aconex, he recognized that he needed more than just book-smart individuals. He was on a mission to discover those who were intelligent, problem solvers, humble, and curious.
Leigh's emphasis was not only on IQ but also on the 'human-Q.' As he put it, "I look for those that are smart and decent. Someone that you'd be happy to be stuck in an airport with."
Acing those qualities, Aconex soared onto the Australian Stock Exchange and conquered global markets. By 2018, cloud giant Oracle snatched up Aconex in Australia's largest M&A transaction to date, worth $1.6 billion.
Branching Out of Your Comfort Zone
In the realm of rapid-growth businesses, asking job candidates to demonstrate their problem-solving prowess made decision-making easier for Leigh and his co-founder, Rob Phillpot, even when their expertise strayed from the roles at hand.
During the recruitment process, curiosity and a passion for the company's journey mattered more than previous experience in the construction technology sector. "I think if you're a smart person you'll learn the industry," Leigh explains.
In the hunt for humble candidates who were open to learning, Leigh recognized the importance of people who were curious and eager to grow, stating, "Somebody who is curious and wants to learn, they tend to be the people who grow quickly."
Taking It Slow
Never rushing the hiring process is essential, even in a fast-paced startup environment. The repercussions of recruiting the wrong person can ripple through the whole organization, causing inefficiencies and damaging company culture if they don't fit.
Leigh shares that, "It [hiring the wrong person] can really set you back... Often it's not just that someone is doing their job incorrectly, but they will distract everyone else as well."
Lack of the right skills can also delay product launches, sapping the business of momentum and effectiveness. And, well-performing team members can often feel the strain of being worn down by a poor cultural fit.
Leigh candidly admits to having made hiring mistakes in the past. In such instances, he emphasizes the importance of being decisive, "When people are a bad fit culturally, it creates friction within the business. It is important to move them on quickly."
Pro tip: Spend time early on getting to know candidates in various settings to evade hasty decisions.
Choosing Wisely
To discover the perfect fit for your startup, Leigh recommends meeting prospective candidates multiple times. Learn what drives them, assessing whether they're efficiently balanced ambitious and humble, great problem solvers, and voraciously curious.
Taking this strategic approach can help sort out those applicants who possess not only the skills your business needs but are also ready to embrace fast-growing startup culture.
Ready to Scale Up?
With good hiring taking time, time is of the essence for startups aiming to grow their teams in 2025. Actively work on your recruitment blueprint now, reach out to your networks, and have conversations.
Want to build an executive recruitment strategy and grow your high-performing startup team? Join the Basecamp program. This executive education program connects you with industry experts who offer advice on hiring right, making Basecamp the perfect stepping stone for fast-growing startups.
Stay tuned for more insightful tips and stories from startup founders on our website!
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- In the search for adaptable go-getters for startups, Leigh Jasper, a seasoned founder, emphasizes the importance of intelligent problem solvers, humble individuals, and curious minds.
- Leigh Jasper, one of Australia's 'unicorn founders,' underscores the significance of potential hires' human qualities, stating, "I look for those that are smart and decent. Someone that you'd be happy to be stuck in an airport with."
- Aconex, Leigh Jasper's construction technology startup, soared on the Australian Stock Exchange and conquered global markets, which demonstrates the significance of the right team in the success of a startup.
- For startups aiming to grow their teams in 2025, Basecamp, an executive education program, offers industry experts' advice on hiring the right talent and building a high-performing startup team.
- In the rapidly growing business sector, being curious and eager to learn, as well as a great problem solver, are valuable qualities for candidates, more so than previous experience in the specific industry.
- When hiring for a startup, it's crucial to spend time getting to know candidates in various settings and assessing their cultural fit and adaptability, rather than making hasty decisions.
