The best leaders that I know are also the best talent scouts.  They are acute observers of people and extraordinarily quick to identify individuals with potential.

Great Talent Scouts Look For:

1.  Character:  Top scouts recognize that they can teach and help hone skills, and teach industry and position particulars, but they cannot teach character.  This is a deal breaker regardless of potential.

2.  Passion: Similar to character, you cannot teach someone to be passionate about fielding angry customer issues with enthusiasm and pride.  Talent scouts look for people that put their heart and souls into their work, regardless of how mundane or difficult it may be.

3.  Raw Talent: A sales manager that hired a rep that he saw in action in a cell phone store offered, “The ability to make angry people happy, while supporting colleagues and compensating for a weak manager were all transferrable to managing complex selling relationships.”  This sales manager saw the raw potential for future success in the actions of this former retail clerk.

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Who said that the best hires have to come through traditional means? I take pride in finding great talent in unusual places and so should you.  Step one is opening your mind to the notion that finding talent is a core task.  Step two is opening your eyes to the talent around you.