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Happywork TV Episode 29: Don’t Discriminate in Hiring Decisions

 
In Episode 29 of Happywork TV, I present the next commitment in The Happywork Agreement, the work code of conduct I’ve written to help bring happiness to the sorriest workplaces.

It goes like this: “I will not discriminate in our hiring decisions, except when it comes to talent. I need great people, no matter what they look like. I will not base my choices on race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. In fact, to do so would be foolish, as I would be severely cutting down the available pool of talent from which to choose.”

There are laws on the books against discrimination, so you might question the need to put such a commitment in The Happywork Agreement. First, one look around should tell you that the world is still full of hatred, racism, and discrimination. Our laws don’t seem to be preventing people, especially ones in power, from discriminating. And in states like Missouri, you can still legally be fired for being gay.

So this commitment to hire the very best no matter what is completely necessary.

Let’s admit this: sometimes it’s difficult to get along with those not like us. And it’s much easier to feel comfortable around people who in fact are like us. I enjoy getting to know people, especially ones who’ve lived a different kind of life than I have. But not everyone shares that zest for diversity.

OK, think of it this way. Boil it down to money: it is straight-up inefficient to discriminate when hiring. You could be missing out on the best people! I am NOT saying, “Make sure you hire some black people, and some Asians, and some gay people too!” NO. Hire the best, period. Hire great human beings! That’s it. Give everyone a fair shake. Every applicant that walks through your door deserves a transparent, fair vote, up or down. (Your existing employees also deserve to be treated fairly, but this commitment is about hiring practices).

This commitment may seem simplistic, or even idealistic, but we’re all made from the same stuff. We look different, and have varied life experiences, but we’re all human beings. It’s time to grow up and stop hating on each other, and the workplace is a fine place to start.

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Watch Episode 28 here!

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Happywork TV Episode 10: Hire People Smarter Than You

In Episode 10 of Happywork TV, I discuss commitment 8 in the list of 46 commitments in my book Happywork. Here it is: I implore you, Mr. Manager and Miss Owner, to hire people smarter than you! As I say in the video, it’s the sign of a great owner and a confident manager.

Reasons why this doesn’t happen more often? Control and ego, I think. Ego = for some entrepreneurs and leaders, it’s difficult to fathom that anyone is more talented than them. It’s this bravado that might allow them to take the risk of starting a business in the first place. Control = in certain situations, you don’t want to bring in someone who could challenge you for control of a situation, or worse, control of a company. It would be like LeBron and Kobe on the same team – they’d win tons of games! Or would they? Who’s the alpha dog? Who’s more talented?

We enjoy when ESPN pundits get into such sports discussions, but you may not have realized that this same situation happens (perhaps on a slightly smaller scale) in businesses every day! It’s not just about accomplishment as a team. It’s WHO accomplished it. Some of us are constantly scratching and clawing for recognition – we don’t want to merely succeed. We want the credit for the success of the business. And we absolutely do NOT want anyone else getting ANY credit for stuff we did. So, to avoid this, we consciously or subconsciously ensure that such situations do not rear their ugly heads – we don’t bring talented people who could challenge us for supremacy.

So that’s my take on this. However, guys, this is the episode I need some comments on! I can speculate as to why a person in power wouldn’t want to bring in someone of similar ability and intellect, but WHY would that person decide not to do so?

(By the way, at the beginning at this video, I explain something that I probably should have already explained. I keep referring to these commitments and this “work code of conduct.” Without giving too much away, this work code of conduct is used to fix Vunorri Inc., the incredibly broken company in my story. My two main characters write the code of conduct, and they call it “The Happywork Agreement.” My book was almost titled “The Happywork Agreement,” but we decided on Happywork instead.)

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Watch Episode 9 here!

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Happywork is available for pre-order on Amazon – HERE!

Please SUBSCRIBE to my email newsletter! Pretty please – you’ll get these blog posts delivered to you automatically. Merci!

And subscribe on YouTube!