Viewpoint September 2007
Hire Attitude!
by Bob Gershberg
Managing Partner, Dick Wray Executive Search
The etymology of the word attitude is French, from Italian attitudine, literally, aptitude.
Having morphed over the years attitude is currently defined by Webster’s as follows:
1. a position assumed for a specific purpose (a threatening attitude)
2. a : a mental position with regard to a fact or state (a helpful attitude) b : a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state
3. a : a negative or hostile state of mind b : a cool, cocky, defiant, or arrogant manner
with the ballet or aircraft position definitions being less than applicable in this context.
Define it as you may one thing is for sure, attitude cannot be taught; we can modify behavior but not teach attitude. During the 70’s & 80’s we restaurant operators were fond of hiring the “champagne” personality, albeit the bubbly got a bit flat during tighter talent pool periods. Skills and competencies can be developed but only those team members with the right attitude will thrive. Moreover, passion and commitment often trump education and experience in the service sectors. While compiling the success factors required for a position, it is crucial to focus on the soft skills as well as the hard.
We are prone to excitement when a resume shows successful tenures with the classic brands and our hearts surely go aflutter when we see the Stanford MBA. Nevertheless one need only view Southwest Airlines and its tremendously successful human resource model to appreciate the hire for attitude philosophy. Fine balance in the hunt for the best human capital, from initial candidate sourcing through hire is required to create the team player who will ultimately reach the Victor’s Cup.
The restaurant arena is rich with success stories of those who won the battle with attitude and perseverance. Colonel Sanders at the age of 65 was turned down 1009 times before he sold his first piece of “finger lickin’ good” chicken. Ray Kroc was a bit of a job-hopper, when at 52 and in ill health he mortgaged his house to the hilt one more time in order to roll out McDonald’s. A little “attitude” goes a long way in this business…..Hire it!
All the best,
