Robert J. Hendricks III

Give space for quick wins. People like to see themselves progress. Short videos (2-5 minutes) that build on each other helps people see their progress and allows for breaks to process as needed. After a series of short clips, give a quick assessment to help the learner check their knowledge before moving ahead. If they struggle with the quiz, then they have a smaller window of information to review, making relearning less daunting.

Conceptually, listening is simple. Practically, the nuances can be challenging. Do you take notes? Is it okay to record? What if their perspective is limited? The answer to these questions and more is: it depends. The key is to know your stakeholders. You should understand what matters to them, the lens that they bring, their conditions for trust, etc. Before you can listen to what they say, you have to listen to who they are. Create an environment that opens the door to perspective-sharing. Make it safe. Make it optional. Make it mutually beneficial. Bringing this approach, you'll uncover your own blind spots in a supportive and genuine space. This gives you a more holistic view of your progress. And if you're ever unsure, just ask!

I agree with everything here. One thing to add is to ensure that the team understands how their role contributes to the mission, vision, values, and the project. If they can see how their work directly impact these areas (and vice versa), then you’ll save time later trying to persuade them that it matters.

Change the power dynamics during the interview. In the first conversation, the candidate should interview you. Give them the opportunity to ask questions about the role, salary, reporting structure, etc. The (honest) framing is that you want the candidate to make sure this is a good position and company for them. And, you can gain a lot from the questions that they ask! In the same interview or in a later one, let the candidate offer feedback and input on something that shows their expertise. Be vulnerable about why you need to fill the role and let them show their potential impact.