Who they are is who they will be for your organization

I’ve never met anyone who had the ability to be two completely different people at home and work. Who they are at home is who they will be at work.
I honestly believe it is as simple as that. If their life is blown up at home, you can be certain it will be blown up at work. If they are ambitious, honest, kind, enthusiastic and humble at home, then that is who they will be for your organization. What you see is truly what you will get.
Character behaviors
There are many behaviors that define one’s character. When considering a person for hire, I suggest you measure prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, ambition, work ethic, perseverance, honesty, kindness, responsibility, service, ongoing education, enthusiasm, humility, respectfulness, gratitude, loyalty and generosity.
Let’s start with the four pillars of character: prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.
Prudence — If a person is prudent they won’t make reckless choices. They will use good judgment while analyzing, comparing, calculating and projecting. A prudent person is able to determine what is true and what is false. Most importantly, they keep things in perspective and don’t make mountains out of molehills.
Justice — People with this behavior won’t advance themselves, their family or friends at the expense of others. They first seek to understand before seeking to be understood. A just person is able to see the other person’s viewpoint. The “something for nothing” attitude is wrong to a just person.
Fortitude — In business, your fortitude will be tested regularly. A person with fortitude is able to encounter adversity while still maintaining a pleasant disposition. I’ve often said the most powerful thing you can do is to remain calm in the middle of the storm. A person with fortitude will bring this attribute to your organization.
Temperance — A person with temperance has self-control in their communication as well as their actions. They won’t raise their voice or display anger. A person with temperance won’t excuse their failings; they confront them. Does that sound like the kind of person you want working for your organization?
Identifying traits
Identifying character behaviors during the screening process is not a simple thing.
One recommendation is to incorporate the DISC assessment tool into your screening process. The DISC measures the greatest strengths, natural limitations, communication style, fears, how they react under pressure and their decision-making style.
Another option is to incorporate a dinner with your candidate, their significant other and their children if applicable. This gives you a chance to see who they really are at home.
 
American short story writer Washington Irving once said, “An inexhaustible good nature is one of the most precious gifts from heaven, spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable in the roughest weather.”

If your organization can commit to determining what is in the nature of your job candidates, you will methodically build a cohesive unit poised to help you succeed even in the roughest weather.

 
Dennis W. Lejeck is the president and founder of Black Knight Security. Dennis is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence and has also participated in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® program. BKS was recognized in 2015 and 2016 as one of the 100 Fastest Growing Companies in Pittsburgh.