Balancing Personal Interests with the Mission

Recruiters are constantly faced with decisions which can shape our careers and influence our success. It's crucial to differentiate between choices serving the larger mission of your career and those which merely satisfy personal pride or ego. Understanding this distinction is key to making smart, strategic decisions.

The Smart Decision-Making Approach

1.  Align with Your Goals: Before making a decision, consider how it aligns with your long-term goals in recruiting. Does it serve the broader mission of your career or your firm? Or is it merely a short-term gratification of your ego? Are you chasing an idea because it’s new and different (shiny object syndrome) or because it is the best use of your time?

2.  Big Picture Thinking: Always keep the big picture in mind. In recruiting, this might mean prioritizing client relationships over immediate gains or focusing on long-term candidate quality rather than quick placements. It also means treating candidates like gold. We always make the assumption we are going to run into the same people again as their career grows. How will that person remember you?

Overcoming the Ego Trap

1.  Swallowing Your Pride: At times, the best decision for your career might require you to put aside personal pride. This could mean admitting a mistake to a client, reevaluating a failed strategy, or seeking advice when you'd rather go it alone. It is hard to ask for help. Just remember how easy it is to give help. When someone asks you, how do you react? Why do you expect less from others?

2.  Embracing Discomfort for Growth: Growth often comes from discomfort. Feeling uncertain or uncomfortable with a decision doesn't necessarily mean it's the wrong choice. It could be a sign that you're pushing boundaries and growing. Change is hard, becoming more is difficult. Think of it like bootcamp, in a few short weeks young people are transformed: stronger, faster, more resilient. It takes a lot of yelling and push-ups to get there.

3.  Pain isn’t Growth: Sometimes people learn growth is uncomfortable and push themselves too hard in the wrong ways. Or they embrace “hustle culture” which seems to embrace working harder over smarter. You may have noticed those hustle bros are very vocal and arrogant about how much “pain” they can handle. That’s ego too. Don’t be the bodybuilder tearing a ligament because you took on too much.

The Impact of Ego in Decision Making

1.  Ego vs. Long-Term Wins: Your ego can be a significant obstacle in achieving long-term success. Making decisions to feed your ego can sabotage potential wins and hinder your professional progress. If you remember Back to the Future III, Marty McFly succeeds in life and has a happy family when he decides not to street race. 

2.  Controlling the Outcome: By controlling your ego, you gain more control over the outcomes of your decisions. This means making choices which are thoughtful, mission-aligned, and conducive to your long-term success. Think of two politicians debating on stage. Who wins, the one reacting to their opponent from ego, or the one sticking to the communication objective? Inside of you are two politicians….

In Conclusion

In the competitive field of recruiting, making decisions which align with the success of your mission rather than personal ego is essential. It’s like getting your first real job and deciding between getting a nice showy new car, or a certified-preowned econobox. Your mission is to get to work reliably, not prove you can get approved for a car loan. One of those choices will get you to financial success sooner, and you already know which!

This approach requires humility, foresight, and the ability to embrace discomfort. That used car will develop a squeak sooner. Remember, the most successful recruiters are those who play the long game, making decisions that contribute to the overall mission and not just immediate gratification. Control your ego, focus on the bigger picture, and you'll find yourself making smarter, more effective decisions that lead to lasting success.

If you’re ready to step up your recruiting career, explore Moore eSSentials Group Coaching, and receive a 10% discount when you enter this coupon code: EMINFO2024. If you want to talk with Tricia directly, call her cell on 630.240.4454. She answers her phone. 

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