Making it look like Magic

I recall a meeting with the VP of Engineering giving me feedback on a recruiting department moving to my team. I was trying to understand what the team did well and what needed improved. He was not interested in talking about the details. He simply explained, that the recruiters always delivered. He told me he would describe his need, and then "magic" happened and the right resume/person would be on his desk.

The recruiting team laughed when they heard this feedback, then we shared a lengthy list of all the steps they took each time to find the right person. That was the first time I understood the client experience of recruiting or service being "magic".

When we provided training services for the staff, the analogy was given, that we needed to make like ducks. Ducks look like they are floating effortlessly across the water, but if you see them from underwater, their legs and feet are going like crazy to move them in the right direction. So, while every training class seemed to have a flurry of last minute changes and snafus and technology bugs, the students saw nothing but perfection in the materials, tools and presentation.

They saw magic.

I think most roles have elements of ducks and magicians in getting the job done. From our client's perspective, it is a nice gift that we opt out of being transparent about our journey; hide our sweat, and conceal a few tricks a long the way.

#staffing #talent