FIT Matters

The principle that the right "fit" with an organization or an individual manager is key to long-term success in an organization was recently highlighted for me as a personal friend was told "she no longer "fit" with the organization.  This person had been hired to provide the professional management needed to grow a small, privately held business whose sales had been stagnate for several years. The owner wanted to dramatically grow the business in preparation for an eventual sale and had been counseled by his small business advisors to bring in business people to provide the expertise he lacked.

The business owner took the advice and pulled the trigger on the hire. Success resulted.  Revenues were increased by 22% in the first year as the new COO hired new staff, reallocated work responsibilities to best fit with staff talents and capabilities, created new processes, streamlined existing processes for efficiency and installed a new sense of collaboration and teamwork among the staff.  Within just 12 months, the company was growing and an infrastructure had been put into place to support future growth. A great fit, right?

Well, with the organization, "yes".  But, not with the owner who felt like he lost control and was no longer the driving force in the business he and his partners had created. The COO made the mistake of believing she was hired to run the company and deliver improved results. In hindsight, the owner wanted the benefits and results of a professional management--which he got--but was not comfortable doing things in a different way from the way he had done them in the past.

So, my takeaway from this is that "fit" has multiple dimensions and for individuals evaluating a new position or relationship with a company, think beyond your financial or ego needs. Try to answer the "fit" questions before beginning the engagement or relationship and be honest in your appraisal.  The interview or evaluation process needs to be as much about you understanding the company, its culture and the individuals who have organizational control as it does about them evaluating you.

Joel