Recently I watched a short video with Simon Sinek about finding the balance. He talked about how people looking for the perfect partner doesn’t exist, the perfect job doesn’t exist or the perfect company doesn’t exist. That you can't have impact and happiness every day, that it’s about finding the balance. There will always be some bad days or days where you don’t have the energy to give 100%. You have to have bad days to appreciate the good ones.
Simon added in the video that people are looking for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow - but there is no pot at the end of a rainbow. There are a lot of books and speakers who are telling that there is - so people start to find it. However, it's not about finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, it's about the adventure and who we take with us on the journey. That is the best part.
The video reminded me of a situation where a colleague asked me "Which was the best company you ever worked at". And my answer was "There is no perfect company or job. Every company has issues and you need to find out what kind of issues you can live or work with."
So, I truly agree with Simon that there is no perfect job or company. And especially not for everyone, because we are humans and so we are different. Everyone of us needs something else.
Stop telling talent marketing lies
Which brings me to a topic I have been working on for a while now: Helping our Recruiting department to build trustworthy talent marketing for developers.
In marketing it's normal to window dress products or stories. That's why a lot of companies use stories people want to hear instead of what their values actually are. How their culture is. They tell the story of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow instead of telling the talents:
hey wanna join me for an adventure? I heard there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I'm not sure if we're gonna find it, but let’s go. It’s not important if you find the pot of gold or not, it’s about the relationship, the journeys, the experience you make with each other while you are looking for it.
For Employer Branding and Talent Marketing this would mean for example: Instead of saying "We are a diverse and inclusive company" say "We are committed to become a diverse and inclusive workplace and therefore we are looking for people who are helping us to bring this vision to life".
If a company tells shiny stories which are not the truth to attract talents, those talents may join the company because they tell them what they want to hear. But those talents that join will recognize sooner or later that it all was just window dressing. And in the best case they quit. In the worst case scenario, they stay at the company without believing in the company, without passion and happiness. Which leads to employees who don’t bring their best to the table. Don’t sell candidates a dummy and have them quit months later. Find candidates who are willing to join your adventure. Who wants to go with you on the journey to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, no matter if you find the pot of gold or not.
Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash
Top comments (4)
"We are committed to become a diverse and inclusive workplace and therefore we are looking for people who are helping us to bring this vision to life"
How does this translate into actions in your company?
Hi Samuel, thanks for your questions.
Let me explain a bit, this was an example and it never was a topic if and how my company is doing it :) It's about how talent marketing lies are used to get employees.
I never said that the company I'm working at, is doing it wrong or right.
But you are true this questions should be answered, as best on their website ;)
I learned more about why some company's don't really care if you find that pot-of-gold, but just want your relationship with them to be strong so long as you both keep searching for it together.
Hi Rachel, thanks for your comment. I'm sorry to hear that. But do they were truely honest to you from the beginning on? That it's only to find the pot of gold? Otherwise it's exactly what I try to describe in my post.