LOS ANGELES
,
August 26, 2024
(Industry Intelligence Inc.)
–
The following is from John Foraker, co-founder and CEO of Once Upon A Farm, a producer of organic, farm-fresh snacks and meals for babies and big kids, with products sold in over 16,000 stores nationwide and online. We’re facing a key hiring decision.
Candidate 1 has not held the job before, which seems like a big risk. However, she’s held a role in close adjacency to our spec. Her career trajectory shows successive roles in big & complicated organizations with high performance & advancement. A clear communicator, articulate in interviews, and enjoys strong work relationships. Co-workers report she keeps things fun while also being laser-focused on delivering results. She’s a straight shooter, known for being both direct & honest. HR has given full green light.
Candidate 2 has held the job, and we really like that. However, he’s loose with the truth. In interviews he rambles and struggles to give clear answers to very simple direct questions. There are signs of cognitive decline. He sports a large ego and many who’ve worked with him refuse to do so again. They point to a lack of character. He’s had some business success, but also many failures & bankruptcies. He short-pays vendors. There’ve also been allegations of improper behavior with women and we know he made fun of a disabled person, too. HR has major concerns, and so does legal.
Getting leadership right is paramount for enterprise success. Sometimes we make the calls more difficult than they need to be. 80/20, keep it simple.
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