How to be certain of an effective executive hire in the membership sector.

In the dynamic theatre of executive and senior leadership recruitment in the membership sector, where CVs glide across stages and interviews unfold like scripted dramas, the age-old methods of casting the ideal candidate often miss the mark.

Simply put, relying solely on interviews, presentations, and a polished CV is akin to trusting a beautiful book cover to guarantee a compelling story within—it only accounts for a mere 14% of an employee's future performance.

Now, wouldn't you like to unlock the secret to the other 86%?

It's high time each of us in the membership sector, I believe, go beyond just scratching the surface.

Actors in the Theatre of Life

The world is brimming with charismatic senior leadership candidates capable of dazzling us in interviews, akin to magicians pulling rabbits out of hats.

But here's the rub: the past performance that they eloquently narrate, embellished with praise from references, is no crystal ball into their future success in your leadership role!

There can, sometimes, lie a chasm between the appearance of competence, the actual skillset, and the golden nugget of what they will do when faced with the future’s unpredictability.

Here comes the plot twist

This is where the plot thickens, and our hiring journeys need a twist - the introduction of behavioural assessments for our senior leaders as part of the hiring process.

Last week, one of the Trustees for a Professional Body client of ours summed up the output of their candidates' behavioural assessments perfectly, I thought:

It’s like turning on the floodlights in a dimly lit audition room, revealing the candidates in their true colours!

In partnership with us, using the likes of:

  • Pre-screening methodologies and practices
  • Structured interviews
  • Thorough and compliant reference checks (supported by our partner vetting.com - an ISO2007 accredited company - that apply a secure and GDPR-compliant process and audit trail)
  • A Job Survey
  • And Behavioural Assessments

The picture will become oh-so clearer for you!

When good isn't good enough

However, to leap from a good choice to the BEST choice, stepping off the beaten path is not just advisable; it's essential.

Behavioural assessments serve as your crystal ball, providing insights that go beyond the glossy exterior.

These evaluations dive deep, measuring everything from cognitive abilities and personality fit to skills and beyond.

It's the difference between hiring a candidate who looks perfect on paper and one who will perform spectacularly in the real-world role they're stepping into.

So, while the allure of trusting your gut and the comfort of familiar tactics is tempting, it’s crucial to remember that the future of your membership organisation, team, and reputation, hangs in the balance.

The great escape: the costly mistake of "they seem good enough"

Unleash the power of pre-hire behavioural assessments into your senior leader hiring arsenal via our Membership Leaders Platform, and watch as the guesswork fades away, leaving you confidently poised to make decisions not just for now but for the thriving future of you and your membership organisation.

After all, isn’t it time we cast our roles not on past laurels but on future triumphs? Let’s make the senior leadership hiring stage for the membership sector a place where truly remarkable performances begin.

 

At Membership Bespoke, we have extensive experience with how membership organisations are structuring their staffing to meet the challenges ahead. Discover more about our expertise.