On the Job by Anita Bruzzese How to Hire More Innovative Thinkers

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese How to Hire More Innovative Thinkers Edward D. Hess, author of Learn or Die, is interviewed by Anita Bruzzese about how individuals and organizations can change their attitudes and practices to embrace more critical and innovative thinking. He discusses a roadmap into how companies can use science to build leading-edge learning organizations. AB: You note in the book that becoming a learner whether its as anindividual or an organization is much more complicated than just learningto think better and make better decisions. Can you explain? EH:Many people focus on learning just from a thinking viewpoint. The science of learning clearly shows that learning is both a cognitive and an emotional process. Our emotions are intertwined in every part of how we think. For example, positive emotions broaden our thinking while negative emotions narrow our thinking. Being in a positive mood or feeling psychology safe in the learning environment increases the likelihood of learning. Businessculturesof fear generally inhibit learning. AB: Theres been a lot of criticism that some employers will only hire thosewho exactly fit a job description and dont hire for potential. Can youaddress how employers can hire those who, as you say, love to learn andthe benefit of doing such a thing? EH:There are two basic business models for growing a business organically operational excellence and innovation. Both require learning. So, hiring people who have a predisposition to learning would seem like a good idea. Some questions to ask during an interview include: What are you curious about? What Internet sites do you like to visit? Why? How do you feel about mistakes? What do you want to learn in this job? What was the biggest mistake you ever made? What did you learn? AB: Lets talk about current workers for a moment. What is the benefit ofturning those with a fixed learning mindset into those with a growthmindset? And how difficult is that to do? EH:What inhibits many is that they dont really know how (read more here)