only wrong answer to this question is:
“Sushi? You mean raw fish? I would
never eat raw fish!”
4. Assess Your Current Team
cases, the best person for the role may
not have even gone to college.
3. Look Ahead
If you’ve heard of the Rooney Rule, you
know that the National Football League
(NFL) understands the importance
of diversity. Established in 2003, the
rule requires teams hiring for head
coaching positions to include at least
one diverse candidate. In the past, the
NFL had been hiring coaches strictly
based on previous experience. The
Rooney Rule helped the league shift
its focus from conventional wisdom
towards overall potential.
You can shake up your interviewing
process by designing questions that
will help you gauge a candidate’s
potential, even if they don’t have a
long resume. One question I like to
ask is, “Have you ever tried sushi?”
To be honest, it doesn’t matter if the
candidate hates sushi—as long as
their answer indicates a willingness to
take chances and try new things. The
28 • Solutions
Pay attention to your colleagues’
strengths and how they diversify your
team. Assessing your current team
will also help you discover if there are
talent gaps you need to fill. You may
discover that your team is lacking
analytic thinkers, or interpersonal
geniuses. Once you map out the
talents of your team, you can move
to identify candidates who suit your
talent needs. One way to gauge a
candidate’s strengths is by having
them take an online personality test.
Find out what they bring to the table
that is not already part of your ministry.
5. Encourage Diverse Thought
In order to have a successful team, grow
as a ministry, reach your goals and solve
problems, you need to have people on
your team who think differently and
can generate fresh ideas. Leaders
cannot risk being caught in a stale
echo chamber. When we put people on
our team with different perspectives,
they are often able to see the things
we can’t and keep us apprised of our
blind spots.
Though a new hire is one great way
to ensure diversity is incorporated
into your ministry or organization,
that is not the only way you can
begin achieving your goal. At your
next meeting, make an effort to give
credence to all ideas presented, even
if you do not like them. Be a present
figure in your workplace who goes to
your team when seeking to solve a