As a Professional Recruiter, I have interviewed thousands of disgruntled candidates.   The majority are   good employees, working in good companies who are in a position that does not fit their personality or career mindset. I call this the Personality/Mindset Effect. The 3 Personality / Mindsets are  Status Quo, Star and Hero.
Do you need a “Status Quo” – “Star” – or “Hero” ?

Stephen Covey tells us, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to “Start with the end in mind”.

Before I begin a search, I always start with the end in mind by asking this question, “A year from now, what will the new employee need to accomplish to be considered a great hire?”

• Keep a well run department running smoothly?  – Look for a “Status Quo”
• “Move the needle” and take the department to higher levels?  – Look for a “Star”
• Shake things up, tear things apart and rebuild from the ground up?  – Look for a “Hero”

Let’s discuss: what to expect from each of theses types of personalities/mindsets, what to expect from current employees, and support needed from you.

1) “Status Quo” – they will seek to keep things the same, little change, keep everything running smoothly.
Employees – will tend to support the “Status Quo”, little resistance, little anxiety.
You –  will need to support the “Status Quo”, but since the “Status Quo” will not change many things, support needed tends to be rather light.

2) “Star” – they will push the needle, raise the bar. In a sales department, they will sell more and at higher profits, aim to break records. If  in an administrative  role, they will make better and more efficient systems.
Employees – will have anxiety with change, some established employees will offer stiff resistance, some will quit.  However, ambitious outsiders will gravitate to the new manager and want to join a winning team.
You – will need to firmly support the “Star” and not allow employees to “end run” to you and undermine what the “Star” is trying to put in place. In the beginning, expenses will rise with the “Star”, (more advertising, marketing effort, etc.) , results could take time. You need to be firmly behind the  “Star”, or do not bring them aboard.  Your commitment level to a “Star” must be very high.

3) “Hero” – expect wholesale change!
Employees – expect high anxiety, employees leaving or being terminated, great resistance from staff. As with the “Star” shaking things up, ambitious employees from the outside will flock to the “Hero” to be part of an exciting new team. Entrenched employees will feel like outsiders and may soon be!
You – must be as firm as a sphinx or leave town for a while !  Lots of expenses up front. Commitment level from you? Take a guess and then double or triple it!

TIP: Start with the end in mind; A year from now what will the new employee need to accomplish to be considered a great hire ?   Keeps things running smoothly ? Move the needle ? or rebuild?  Then look for the person you can be confident will accomplish this for you.