Hire Slow – Fire Fast: A Story About a Regional Manager
Photo by Chris Liverani on Unsplash
Once upon a time, a prosperous regional property manager believed in the power of speed. She had always been successful in making quick decisions, whether it was hiring new employees or jumping on new opportunities to make her portfolio shine.
One day, the regional manager needed a new property manager for her growing team. Without much thought, she hired the first person who seemed competent enough for the job. However, it soon became clear that the new manager wasn’t a good fit for the company culture and didn’t share the same values. This led to tension and conflict within the team, ultimately impacting the company’s bottom line.
Despite the problems with the new manager, the regional hesitated to let her go. She didn’t want to admit that she had made a mistake and felt that giving the manager more time would solve the problem. However, the team’s morale continued to suffer, and the company’s productivity and revenue declined.
After several months, the regional realized her mistake. She had been so focused on speed that she had overlooked the importance of taking the time to make the right decisions. From that day forward, she committed to hiring more deliberately, taking the time to vet candidates thoroughly and ensure they fit the company culture well.
She also learned the importance of acting quickly when addressing performance issues. She knew that keeping an underperforming employee on the team for too long would hurt the company in the long run. She addressed performance issues early on by having honest conversations, providing clear feedback, and maintaining a positive and productive work environment.
Ultimately, the regional found a balance between speed and deliberation. She learned that sometimes it’s worth taking a little extra time to make the right decision and that addressing performance issues early can save time, money, and morale in the long run. Her team members and portfolio thrived, and she became known as a wise and successful leader who valued both speed and quality.
