Weird Idea

14 May

I recently re-read the book “Weird Ideas that work” by Robert Sutton.
He has a number of interesting ideas but the one that caught my attention was – Hire people who make you feel uncomfortable.

I am fairly sure that most people would shy away from this concept but it is worth exploring.

There has been a lot of information written about the dangers of having too much uniformity in business cultures.  The concept even has a name – “homosocial reproduction.”  Most of the discussion warns about self-destruction of companies unable to adapt and see the world more objectively.
 
One of the natural phenomena, and weaknesses, of the hiring process is to select only people who are like us. However, it does carry a penalty.  Perhaps the biggest potential problem is that we forgo competency for the role.

This is a direct result of the ‘halo effect’ where we accredit attributes to someone because we like them even though those attributes have not been demonstrated. The risk is that we progressively hire less skilled people.  The average abilities of the firm decreases over time, not increases.

My own, totally untested, pet theory is that in order for an organisation to prosper it must have uniformity and conformity to deliver their products and services.  But in order to survive it must have non-conformity, rebels within the ranks who are constantly challenging and looking at new and different approaches.  These are the people who will come up with the new models for the company to exist and thrive as the economic environment changes. 

It seems to me very logical and consistent with evolutionary theory – adapt or die. Management must consciously support rebels and nurture their ideas as one of them might just hold the key to the next big thing.