I don't know what I don't know
By Jacqui Cotterill | Recruitment Manager at Watts Next on 14 October 2011
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I recently attended the Telstra Business Women’s awards to support and celebrate my Managing Directors nominations. I was amongst Queensland’s most accomplished business women and was in awe of some of their amazing achievements. I listened to key note speakers and acceptance speeches hoping to take away that piece of information that will unlock the doors to almighty success (e.g. the easy way), unfortunately I was told it was all hard work and there is no easy road. Bummer! However I did not walk away empty handed.
Vanessa Garrard got up on stage and simply said, ‘I don’t know what I don’t know’. Her success was driven by realising she did not know everything and that she needed to find people that filled her gaps. If only everyone could come to this realisation.
I all too often find people who don’t necessarily believe they know everything, but they still try to do everything whether they know how to or not – and when this happens, things fall down. You see this a lot in start-up businesses.
I see it all the time in recruitment and the outcomes of that are poorly performing staff & high turnover. Your staff are your most important asset and can make or break your business – so just as you ensure your financials are managed by a financial expert, your people need to be recruited and managed by a HR expert.
You don’t know what you don’t know, so focus on what you do know – and fill the gaps with people who know what you don’t.
DISCLAIMER: This article does not constitute legal advice. If you require assistance with creating policies for your workplace, please email admin@wattsnext.com.au
