Leaders sometimes have to make the difficult decision to let a team member go. This decision might be prompted by poor performance, attendance issues, negative attitudes, or a myriad of other reasons. Many wonder why the team member was not successful and assume they just did not care or try hard enough.

Leaders then begin the process of trying to find the next person to fill that role. They use the same job description, hiring process and often ask the same questions to hire the new team member. The hope is that this time the team member will be a good fit and be productive.

Improving the Hiring Process

Before beginning a new search, it is important to learn as much as possible about why it did not work out. For example Knowing whether there were contributing factors. For example, are the job expectations unrealistic, was there not enough training provided? are there factors outside their control which prevent their productivity.

Some important keys to having a successful hiring process and providing a strong opportunity for success include:

· Conduct an exit interview to learn as much from the person who is leaving as possible. This step will provide great insight into the changes needed.

· Ask others on the team about whether the role is effective or whether they feel there are responsibilities or qualifications that should be added or removed.

· Outline your interview questions to probe into the areas that are most critical for candidate success. Include non-technical areas such as problem solving, collaboration, and decision making.

· Include a multiple interview process to compare what you learn in the first interview with successive steps. Watch for indicators of what motivates them and why they make decisions, as this will be a predictor of how they will perform on your team.

· Conduct reference checks and include questions that help assess both the technical and the interpersonal skills. Be sure to listen to the person’s tone and not only what they do say but what they do not say.

Building Successful Teams

The goal is not just to fill the position but to understand how we can prevent losing another person from the team. Replacing someone is costly. By proactively working to create the best environment and process for your new team member, you help ensure success for the team member and your organization.