Who — Book Summary & Review
by Geoff Smart & Randy Street
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Who Summary
Smart and Street introduce the A Method for Hiring early in the book, a framework designed to drastically reduce hiring mistakes. The authors emphasize this method as a structured approach to selecting the right individuals through a clear process. Key sections such as 'The Scorecard' and 'The Four Interviews' lay out step-by-step guidelines that demystify the hiring process. With insights from interviews with over 20 billionaires and 300 CEOs, the book provides real-world examples and practical advice. However, the book may frustrate those looking for a more nuanced discussion of organizational culture or retention strategies, as it focuses primarily on the hiring process itself. Street and Smart aim to tackle the alarming statistic of a 50 percent hiring success rate, but they do not venture deeply into what happens after onboarding. The book is perfect for anyone in a hiring role but lacks depth in post-hiring employee development and integration.
Key Takeaways from Who
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A Method for Hiring: A structured approach to reduce hiring mistakes, with steps outlined for successful implementation.
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The Scorecard: A tool to define clear hiring outcomes and align expectations for the role and candidate.
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The Four Interviews: A sequence to identify A Players by focusing on specific skills, achievements, and cultural fit.
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Voodoo Hiring Methods: A critique of common, ineffective hiring practices that the book advises against using.
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#1 Tactic for A Players: Leverage personal and professional networks to consistently attract top-tier candidates.
Who Should Read This
Someone who is currently struggling to improve their hiring success rate and wants a clear, practical guide. If you're frustrated by past hiring mistakes and need a proven framework, this book is for you.
Who Shouldn't Read This
If you're looking for a deep dive into team dynamics or employee retention strategies, this book will disappoint. It focuses narrowly on the hiring process, skipping broader organizational culture discussions.
Editor's Verdict
The best thing this book does is provide actionable hiring strategies, particularly through 'The Four Interviews'. It doesn't explore the complexities of employee retention or post-hiring development. If you're in a hiring role and need to cut down on costly mistakes, this book is most useful before your next round of interviews.
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Who — Frequently Asked Questions
About Geoff Smart & Randy Street
Geoff Smart and Randy Street are renowned experts in leadership and management. Geoff Smart, with a Ph.D. in psychology, founded ghSMART, a leadership consulting firm. Randy Street is a partner at ghSMART and has extensive experience in executive assessment. They co-authored "Who: The A Method for Hiring," a bestseller on effective hiring practices. Their credibility stems from decades of consulting with top companies and executives. Geoff Smart also co-authored "Power Score: Your Formula for Leadership Success."
