Standing Tall: A Manager’s Guide to Becoming a Leader

Chapter 12: Movement

Later that day, Scarlett called up her human resources department. She wanted to start the process of looking for new hires.

“Andrea, I am looking for a new team member,” Scarlett said to the HR rep.
“Oh no! Melissa didn’t work out either? She was the 10th admin in the last three years, right?”
“No, Melissa is doing fine. We’ve had a few bumps, but we actually had an important talk earlier today, and I’m hoping that we’re on the right track. I will keep you posted”
“That’s great. So then how can I help you?”
“I’m looking to hire a junior staff member.”
“Ok,” Andrea said. “I’m going to send you a questionnaire to complete. There you’ll fill out some information about the job itself and the qualifications you require. I will send you the standard description to use as a basis, and then you can tweak it as you see fit. You can add any specifics that are more tailored toward your division—estate management—so that it can really relate to what you want. I highly recommend making that description as detailed as possible. Then people will think twice about truly applying unless they are both qualified and interested.”
“Thanks, Andrea. I will look at this today and get it back to you. How long does this process take?”
“Well, the admin searches generally take at least six weeks, so I would use that as a bare minimum.” 

As Scarlett worked on the questionnaire, she suddenly thought back to what Jack said about character and drive being the key things she needed to look for. She added some language around those elements, so candidates could expect it to come up during an interview, and felt confident that the conversations around these key elements would lead her to the right person.

That night Scarlett met up with Lee again. They had been seeing each other regularly over the past couple of weeks. 

“How are things at work going?” Lee asked. 
“They are continuing to progress really well. I’m starting the process of hiring a new person, and I am going to make sure I do the right due diligence prior to bringing that person on. Jack has really been giving me great guidance on how to choose someone. I also am really building some better relationships with my co-workers. I have asked a bunch out to lunch over the last few weeks and have been really open about some of the changes I am going through and how I am truly looking to get to know them better as colleagues. They were a bit surprised, and some are a little hesitant given my past, but many of them were open to it. And what I’ve found most surprising is that I’m enjoying learning about them and their challenges, too.”
“That’s wonderful, Scarlett,” Lee said. 
“And here’s the best part,” Scarlett said with a smile. “I’m creating more balance in my life outside of work by spending time with you.”

Lee smiled even wider at that and said, “I am glad about that, too. I always enjoy our time together. You have a way about you that is so wonderful. I know now why I have been waiting for so long.”

Scarlett’s heart melted. She had been feeling the same way about Lee and was so happy that he was feeling it, too. She reached over and took his hand in hers and said, “I know why I had been waiting, too. Finally, I know.”

Lee leaned over and kissed her, and they both knew they were exactly where they wanted to be.