05 - Hire candidates with a positive mindset

If having a positive company culture is one of your organization's core values, look out for candidates with a positive attitude while hiring. Employees who have a positive attitude towards work often radiate enthusiasm and optimism, which can inspire their co-workers and thereby boost morale significantly. There'll be mutual respect and desire to collaborate among employees with a positive mindset, which can foster a wonderful work environment that is free from negativity.

Why should you hire a person with a positive attitude rather than a person with a bad attitude and good skills?

Do you know 89% of hires lose their positions because of attitude-based problems? That’s why recruiters should place attitude above technical skills and experience

Skill Vs. Attitude

• Skills are technical capabilities someone can unlock in the course of their professional journey. This may vary from one sector to the other.
• Attitude is a reflection of the personality of the individual concerned. Passion, flexibility, attention to detail are signs that the candidate can work well in a team.
• Skills can be learned, but attitude can’t. It’s that simple.

Why Choose Attitude Over Skill

• Employees with a positive attitude are often ready to learn and adapt to the changes within the company.
• You can train new recruits to improve their skills and fit in specific roles, but training isn’t applicable for attitude.
• A positive attitude comes in handy to overcome obstacles while keeping the motivation alive.
• Attitude is contagious.  A positive attitude can fuel your company’s overall productivity, while a bad attitude can hinder it.

Positive thinkers have more energy.

People tend to respond to situations in a predictable way — a personality trait called dispositional affect. Scientists concluded that those of a positive dispositional affect have more energy and enthusiasm than those who have more negative affectivity. That said, low levels of negative affectivity aren’t necessarily bad, as these people may be more calm and relaxed

Positivity makes people more resilient.

Few entrepreneurs make it big with their first idea or business venture. There are often many failures and mistakes behind a prosperous business.

However, studies have shown that being positive in the face of adversity can help you become more resilient. For example, a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology explains that “being able to move on despite negative stressors does not demonstrate luck on the part of those successful individuals but demonstrates a concept known as resilience.”

Resilience has its own rewards, too, with research showing that individuals with the trait “have optimistic, zestful and energetic approaches to life, are curious and open to new experiences, and are characterized by high positive emotionality.”

 

Positive thinking improves decision-making.

It is somewhat logical that if you’re in a negative frame of mind, you’re less likely to make decisions that have a positive impact. This is highlighted in the book Understanding the Entrepreneurial Mind (Springer Nature, 2009), which states that “negative thinking from entrepreneurs in a negative mood could lead to decisions which are more likely to be poor for their venture.”

Decision-making is closely tied to problem-solving, so it involves many of the same factors, like being resilient so you can focus on what you can control in order to fix a problem.

Positive emotions can affect entrepreneurship, too. According to a study published in the Journal of Business Venturing, emotions such as passion have an impact on entrepreneurship, including aiding creativity and innovation.