Unlocking the Magic of Hiring: The Mary Poppins List
About ten years ago, my wife Audrey and I embarked on an incredible journey as professional crew, skippering a super yacht around the world. By the time we arrived in Australia, a position had become available that required us to find the perfect person to join the crew. As you can imagine, living on a yacht—even a large one—means spending a lot of time in close quarters. Finding the right fit was crucial.
After fruitlessly scanning job boards, Audrey had a brilliant idea: "Let's create a Mary Poppins List." Intrigued, I asked what she meant. Audrey reminded me of the classic Mary Poppins story. The children, tired of nannies who just didn't fit, decided to get involved in the hiring process. They listed all the qualities they desired in a nanny. As if by magic, Mary Poppins arrived, embodying everything they were looking for.
Inspired by this, we did the same. We sat down and wrote a list of all the qualities we wanted in our new crew member: trustworthy, hardworking, a great work ethic, someone who looked after others, and was authentic and transparent. To our delight, we found the perfect person.
This experience sparked a revelation in my mind: the Mary Poppins List is an excellent strategy for businesses searching for the right team members.
Here’s how it works:
1. Identify the Qualities
Sit down with a blank sheet of paper and brainstorm all the qualities you want in a new team member. Consider traits like trustworthiness, hard work, integrity, and team spirit.
2. Craft the Copy
Use these qualities to write the job description and associated advertisements. This helps create a resonance between the qualities you're seeking and the potential candidates.
3. Attract the Right Fit
When the right person reads your description, it will resonate with them, drawing them towards your business. This approach ensures that you not only fill a position but find someone who fits seamlessly into your team and culture.
In my consultancy work, I've seen many of my client's struggle to find the right candidates. Time and again, I've told them the story of the Mary Poppins List and this has proven to be a powerful tool in overcoming this challenge. It’s all about clarity and resonance—knowing exactly who you are looking for and making sure that person can see themselves in your job description.
If you’re currently hiring and finding it tough to get the right fit, I encourage you to try the Mary Poppins List. Sit down, write out those qualities, and transform your hiring process!
You never know....Mary herself may just fly in from the sky on her umbrella to take up the position!
Interested in learning more about how to implement this strategy or other ways to enhance your business? Send me a message or leave a comment below. I’d love to help you unlock the magic of hiring the right team members.