One of the things we learn by experience (and usually due to the mistakes we make) is the importance of hiring people with the right attitude, personality and values to fit into your company culture. While you may well already know this, it is so easy to forget this rule when growth is rapid, the pressure is on and there is a temptation and a need to find someone in a rush!

The problem is that hiring someone with great skills and a bad attitude can be worse than not having anyone at all.

The reason for this is that a person who doesn’t quite fit your company ethics and team spirit, or someone who fosters a “them and us” sub-culture that results in cliques and factions forming, can end up blocking the good work of the team as a whole. While this toxic situation can develop slowly and could be happening under the surface for some time before you notice it, it is important to fix it fast once this comes to light.

So, you may ask, how can one prevent this type of thing happening in the first place?

Fetola’s 4R’s method helps to remind us of four simple, but powerful rules for building a winning team and growing a great company culture.

1. Recruit slowly and carefully. Select for attitude and culture match before selecting for skills

2. Respect means showing respect for oneself, our fellow team members, the company and the work that we do

3. Recognition is a two-way street. I “see” you and the talents and work you bring, but you also see me, and the others in your team.

4. Reward the attitude and behaviours that match your brand and culture.

I hope this helps you to build the team of your dreams – whether it’s your very first employee or number 100. And as always, we teach what we need to learn – so as leaders it’s good to remind ourselves that when we get these four Rs right in ourselves, we will attract these behaviours in those around us.