Staffing Change Agents and Leveraging Past "Failures"
May 31, 2006
A nice short article called "Building The 'A' Team" from Forbes.com this week discusses how companies, especially start-ups, attract their talent. In many ways, the article reinforces the DNA model proposed in the white paper. Part of the Change Agents' DNA allows them to spot the right type of talent when others are unable to do so, and provides them with reference points for success and failure. In fact, many have shared with me that it is the failures which enable change agents to accomplish programmatic success.
Another thing that struck me in this article is how many change agents, especially those involved in the War on Terror, are introduced to new mission areas without books or rule sets to guide them. Thus, change agents in the government would benefit from studying these startups, and how they organize themselves for success.
One great quote from the article:
"Steve Ciesinski, chief executive of Laszlo Systems, a high-end Web site design firm, 'I look for people who have had major successes and who have tasted some failures as well. Winning is more meaningful to them, and they are able to handle some rejection and disappointment that naturally occurs in startup situations. [This environment] demands fortitude under fire'."
Thoughts or reactions? Please send them to us.