The Power of Patience in Talent Acquisition

👶🏽 “I have a 3-year-old.” 👶🏽

…for those who know, that could be the end of my post and it would still say a lot. 😅 But let me share a little more.

This is Mercy. She started swim lessons last Wednesday, and like many 3-year-olds, she’s a bundle of energy, curiosity, and… well, let’s say it: unpredictability! 🏊🏽‍♀️🎒

But here’s the thing—whether it’s teaching a three-year-old to swim or finding the right person for a critical role in your company, patience is everything.

At Stillwaters Harvest Consulting, we’re not about quick resume sourcing. We focus on true matchmaking, ensuring that each hire is aligned with your organization’s unique DNA. Why? Because when we rush the process, we often pay the price in more ways than one:

📉 60% of bad hires negatively impact team morale, productivity, and project timelines.
💸 The average cost of a bad hire can be 30% of their first-year earnings, not to mention the opportunity cost.
⏳ 25 days is the average time it takes to hire a mid-level position—but for a leadership role, it can be upwards of 50-60 days for the right fit.

💡 So, what’s the solution? 💡

The key is to start now and be intentional. Here are a few strategies that we recommend:

🔹 Establish Accountability: On a quarterly basis, your leadership team should review your core values to ensure they’re still aligned with your mission and vision.
🔹 Create Continuity: Make sure there’s a shared understanding of what success looks like for new hires, so when the time comes, you have a clear target.
🔹 Know Thyself: As an organization, define who you are and what you truly need—not just in terms of skills but also culture and character.

💭 It’s a bit like dating.

Many people say they want a solid marriage. They’ve read the books, they know the stats—but they rush into it, hoping for a quick fix. A good marriage, like a good hire, takes time, intention, and self-awareness. You can’t marry the first person you meet and expect them to change into who you envisioned. 😬 Same with hiring. The person you bring on board is who you’re going to get. 🎯

Patience isn’t the absence of accountability; it’s understanding that excellence requires time. ⏰ The cost of a great hire is not just compensation—it’s also time and careful evaluation.

So, while it might feel like a delay, taking that extra time to match with the right talent is worth the wait. Let’s build a team where everyone is swimming in the right direction. 🏊🏽‍♂️💼