Tweet

More Than a Gut Feeling

Written by: Don Doman

Article Overview: Mary complained to HR and she was sent to a different office for 'better' training. She was unable to learn anything there, also. Her career in the travel industry was short, but expensive. Basically, she should never have been hired. Mary was very personable and she was probably hired on a 'gut feeling' that she would do well.

More Than a Gut Feeling

Mary seemed like a nice person. I don’t know who hired her. She gave the impression of being a hard worker.

She’s the kind of employee who would be happy to share photos of the grandkids and bring in freshly baked cinnamon rolls to the office. The problem was she just wasn’t very bright.

The travel industry isn’t rocket science, but you need to be aware of rules and regulations as well as fare plans.

An experienced clerk worked with her one day. He presented possible scenarios for her to work out. In the middle of a problem, Mary announced, “My brain is full.” She turned and walked away from the clerk who looked on in disbelief.

All of the employees in the office who worked with Mary knew that she wasn’t making progress. Each day was like starting over. No one said anything. Finally, one clerk told her, “you don’t seem to be making it,” even though it wasn’t his job to do so.

Mary had a fit. She complained to HR and she was sent to a different office for “better” training. She was unable to learn anything there, also. Her career in the travel industry was short, but expensive. Basically, she should never have been hired. Mary was very personable and she was probably hired on a “gut feeling” that she would do well.

A gut feeling is not a good rule of thumb for hiring in today’s world.

One of the best tools for hiring is the training video More Than a Gut Feeling III, which was produced years ago, but has been constantly updated to keep current with ever changing employment law.

“Viewers of More Than a Gut Feeling III will learn helpful job-related interviewing techniques practiced by so many hiring staffs all over the world. You can refrain from judging an applicant on gut feeling by: asking rapport-building questions; discussing the job; taking notes and explaining why; asking specific, open-ended questions to get specific answers; allowing for silence if necessary; maintaining control; getting contrary evidence and evaluating. This video applies these techniques to the most common interviewing situations and helps you to refrain from judging the candidate on intuition.”
– Description of More Than a Gut Feeling III

The constant best-seller comes with a facilitator’s guide for training classes. The training video is also available in Office and Manufacturing versions and may be rented or purchased. This program is not the only business training video concerning hiring, but it has saved many a problem.

If the person who hired Mary had been given proper training, Mary would have been saved the embarrassment of failing, and the travel company would have saved several thousand dollars. I've been to Vegas and I know that gambling on a gut feeling doesn't work. Hiring on a gut feeling just doesn’t usually work out for anyone. Now, that's a safe bet.

Related Articles
  Feeling the Positive Opposite
  "I Feel Trapped"
  Have You Put a Happy Face on It?
  How to prevent loved ones from bursting your bubble: 3 solid steps
  Flip the Feeling!

Article Tags:



Related Forum Posts
Re: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD...RIGHT NOW!!! - Success = Thinking (Head) + Heart (Feeling / Interest) + Hand (doing/ action). Success - H3 Robert
Re: your personality type? - Hi Zac, If you're on the fence about 2 and 3, I'd think more about them. Big picture people tend to be oblivious to the detail of what is happening NOW -- the colors on a restaurant wall, the layout of someone's apartment, the color of people's shirts at a party, etc. They instead notice the "theme" -- an upscale restaurant (who knows what color), casual shirts at a party (not sure what style), etc. A "trendy" apartment, but who knows where the bathroom was. Gut feeling people tend to act w/o all the facts, and are comfortable following that instinct. "Thinker" people will choose something even if they HATE it, just because it "makes sense." Where as that makes no sense to a gut person. Thinkers are more "black and white" where as gut instinct feelers are more "gray area" people. But going with your selections... 1. Within 2. Big Picture 3. Gut Feeling 4. Spontaneous The Reflective Seeker of Truth. You are a passionate searcher of big-picture meaning and strive to help others with your empathetic listening skills. Socially, you are usually quiet, but can be a social butterfly when you feel like it, though it can be draining to do so for too long. You have a very silly and goofy side, enjoy people and need time to quietly reflect #1 Strength: Predicting Future Likelihoods #2 Strength: Expressing Social Feeling Predicting Future Likelihoods Predicting what is likely to happen, based on past events, themes, or what has historically been true. Deciding what will happen, based on past events. These predictions are usually spoken with con?dence and certainty. A thread or common idea is drawn from the past, and these ideas are used to decide what will happen in the future. Authorities and past situations are extremely important for deciding what will happen in the future. Expressing Social Feeling Setting an emotional tone, vibrant, energetic, or serious, etc. Concerned with the emotional environment as it?s happening -- the vibe of people at a party, the tone of a situation, other people?s responses. Setting the tone -- dramatic and serious, or lighthearted and a celebration. Emotional displays are important for knowing how others are feeling, whether bad or good. Someone talking in a monotone about feelings seems insincere. Feels should be shown, so they can be read by others. If that is your type, your #1 match would be... The Strong-Willed Go-Getter. You are a bold sculptor of the here-and-now in order to achieve immediate results following a logical system for making decisions. You add a fun, upbeat vibe to social events and are often the most gregarious person in the room. #1 Strength: Commander of Physical Space #2 Strength: Systematic/Rule Logic
Re: your personality type? - Hi Michelle! If you are the present-moment focused, this is your result. If it doesn't seem spot on, I'll give you the big-picture focused result. The Enjoyer of Life. You enthusiastically enjoy experiencing the five senses, creative pursuits and social harmony in the here-and-now. You are independent, socially upbeat, and enjoy creating a positive and happy atmosphere. Despite your outgoing “persona,” you are a private person and few people truly know you well). #1 Strength: Comfort Creator #2 Strength: Expressing Social Feeling 1) Comfort Creator -- Creating a comfortable physical environment. Feels the ?ve senses vividly. Adept at using objects, or ?nding or building objects, to make a physical space the most soothing to all ?ve senses. Also organizing so objects are easily found in a convenient way. Both the physical comfort of self, and others, is important. Often feel a need to ensure those close to them are warm enough, fed, rested, etc. Will easily offer help to others in these areas, lending a jacket, or offering a snack. 2) Expressing Social Feeling Setting an emotional tone, vibrant, energetic, or serious, etc. Concerned with the emotional environment as it?s happening -- the vibe of people at a party, the tone of a situation, other people?s responses. Setting the tone -- dramatic and serious, or lighthearted and a celebration. Emotional displays are important for knowing how others are feeling, whether bad or good. Someone talking in a monotone about feelings seems insincere. Feels should be shown, so they can be read by others. Your best type would be: The Conceptualizer. You are an inventive creator of logical systems of possibilities that you use to create processes, products or strategies. Socially, you are sometimes quiet, but also find yourself acting as the life of the party, especially when you get caught up in a debate or entertaining topic of conversation. #1 Strength: Generating Future Possibilities #2 Strength: Systematic/Rule Logic


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Fear Factors in Small Business: Sales & Marketing

Join Conversations Politely, Part 1

Small Business Internet Marketing

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.