The Truth About Being a CEO

Summary

• When hiring, it's okay to admit what you don't know. I was 23 and had never managed anyone before, let alone an executive assistant.
• Be straightforward during the interview process. I told my future executive assistant that I didn't know exactly what the role entailed.
• Focus on matching needs with skills. I was clear about the tasks I needed done and found someone who could figure out how to do the job on their own.
• Successful hiring isn't about knowing everything. It's about being honest and clear about what you can and cannot provide in terms of training.
• Communication and transparency are key. Being upfront with what you don't know helps find the right fit for the role.

Video

How To Take Action

I would suggest implementing a straightforward hiring approach. When you’re interviewing, it's okay to admit what you don’t know. This honesty can actually help you find the right fit. Just like I was honest with my executive assistant. It can be scary, but say it upfront: "I need help with these tasks, but I don’t know how to guide you on everything."

A good way of doing this is to clearly list out the tasks you need done and find someone who can figure out how to do them on their own. You don’t need to know every detail of their job; instead, focus on matching their skills with your needs. For example, if you need someone to manage emails, be clear about that and see if the candidate can handle it without much guidance.

Successful hiring doesn’t require you to be an expert. It’s more about being honest about what you can offer in terms of training and what you cannot. This transparency during the interview helps candidates understand the role better and assess if they are a good fit.

Another key point is communication. Keep the communication lines open from the start. Being upfront about your knowledge gaps and expectations helps build trust and ensures that both you and your new hire are on the same page. This strategy is low-cost and time-efficient but can provide high value by ensuring you get the right person who can manage the tasks and grow alongside you or your business.

Full Transcript

I had a a mentor who told me I remember I was hiring for my executive assistant and I was like well dude like uh I don't know what the this person is supposed to do he's like yeah just say that on the interview process and I was like okay so then I got on with yasine who's here now she was my EA because I got on the interview and I was like listen I'm like 23 trying to grow this I've never even managed a person before let alone I don't know what an executive assistant is supposed to do so like I can tell you all the stuff I need done but I don't know how to tell you to do your job oh no I will tell you what I will do and I was like this is the perfect match and so and that's why it worked it was just like you don't have to know everything it's just being really clear with the people about what you do and don't know and what you you will train them on versus what you need them already trained on