Kelly Sobol’s Post

A very insightful thought by the ex-CEO of Starbucks that I relate with💭 Hiring is an art due to its reliance on subjective factors like personalities and cultural fit, which go beyond measurable metrics. Despite incorporating data and processes, the unpredictable nature of human interactions makes it more art than science. In my decade of experience, I’ve seen many candidates who possess strong technicals and expertise, but it’s the candidates who possess the personality that aligns with the team's culture who actually succeed, and understanding the team culture by meeting hiring managers has truly made us effective recruiters🔎 #teamculture #hiring #recruitment #bestpractice

Here’s one thing that’s broken about the whole hiring/firing process. Companies always overestimate the potential of outsiders (shiny new hires) and underestimate the potential of insiders (existing employees). The recent Starbucks CEO hiring/firing is a great example. The same thing happens every day in countless other companies and at every level of the workforce. And if not fired by the company, many employees end up quitting because they're being taken for granted, left to wilt, unable to achieve their potential. Imagine how much time, energy and cost companies would save if they focused on letting their existing talent pool shine...instead of just looking for shiny new hires. We need to take better care of our people. Agree? #career #potential #bettercare #people

Can I get a tall cup of pike? One year of PRO! One year of Seattle! One year ago today, I walked into the SSC, stepping into what was, for me, the unknown. While working at a licensed location back in 2016, I took on a lead role that was new to me. Although I was open to trying new things, I did not know what was in store for me. I found myself excelling in this new world of coffee and human connection and I wanted to know more—more about the company, its history, coffee origins, and how I could grow within the company. However, in reality, I did not work at Starbucks but for a separate company, so some opportunities were not available to me. Three years later, I decided to leave the company which the licensed store was located in. I did not know what my next opportunity would look like and company-operated stores were the furthest thing from my mind. But the universe had other plans. On the day I walked out of that building, with no plan and no idea who my next employer would be, Starbucks came to me—literally. I received an Instagram message from a good friend, and soon after, I was interviewing for a shift supervisor position at a company operated cafe. Little did I know, this would be the start of my career. I had very little investment in jobs in general due to the total disregard and disrespect I had experienced over the years with other companies. A job was merely a paycheck for me, a means to support my family. But coming to a Starbucks company operated store I was given an experience I never expected. As I continued to grow at the store I realized my journey was a product of my own creation. I began owning my development, setting goals and dates not only on my PDP, but in my own personal development plan I set for myself. I held myself accountable for all the deadlines I set. It felt so challenging at times that I was ready to just walk away from it all. I remember thinking that this job would end up like all the rest… no where. I remember being in a ADP coffee tasting and listening to a 13 year partner share her journey. She spoke of the all things she faced as an African American woman in retail stores. I remember feeling terrified because her story was so similar to my story. I made a commitment to myself that day. Not only did I want be a voice for myself, but for other partners that felt like they had to dim their light to reach their goals. I have learned to appreciate where I am in my journey, even if it’s not exactly where I want to be. Every season serves a purpose. There is so much more to come for me, and I cannot wait to see where it takes me. I will continue to support others, and most importantly, remain true to myself. I will always lead with a lens of humanity and treat others how I want to be treated. I will keep bringing joy to the all spaces I’m in and continue to be a light for partners to look to. Thank you for being on this journey with me, and thank you for reading.

One hire = USD 21 billion increase 🚀 in market capitalization! An ROI of 21,000 X in one day! This is what the board of directors of Starbucks just achieved. They replaced the CEO and the share price jumped 24.5% in one day! This is a market cap increase of USD 21 billion = USD 21,000,000,000. Assuming the headhunter’s fee was capped at USD 1 million (might be lower), they got a return of 21,000 X in one day! I'm not even trying to work out the annualized return. Now do you understand the value of recruiting? This is the power of a good hire! Have you seen one hire making an outsized impact? Share your stories below. PS: By commenting or re-posting you will help give visibility to this post.   If you found it valuable, consider giving a comment or like 😉

Today, I had the pleasure of onboarding a new team member—someone I’m genuinely excited to work with and have high hopes for. However, I heard a recurring question from several colleagues: “They don’t have any retail experience. Why are you so confident in them?” My answer? Work ethic. I can train someone to run a register, serve customers, sell our loyalty programs, down-stack a truck, stock shelves, understand our metrics, and every other nuance of our jobs. But what I can not train is the drive to succeed and the attitude they bring to work every day. When I hire, I’m not just looking for a resume packed with years of retail experience. I’m looking for someone with the determination to show up and give their best effort. That’s what truly matters. If we only look for “relevant experience,” we may miss out on some valuable assets to our teams. #Leadership #Hiring #WorkEthic #Retail #GrowthMindset #CVSHealth

WE ARE 9! 🎉 A heartfelt thank you to all our candidates and clients who have been an integral part of our incredible journey over the years. Del Connolly, Global Brand Director, shared his thoughts on reaching this momentous milestone: "9 years… not sure where the time has gone! We've come a long way in that period. In many ways, those 9 years can be split into two parts. The first part had some great moments but was arguably overshadowed by very challenging times, where we (I) made a lot of mistakes. Let’s call it character-building, but it also provided valuable opportunities to learn. About 5 years ago, we made a significant shift in the brand and took some brave decisions. We moved into high-growth, resilient sectors, focused on international expansion, and partnered with clients who truly valued collaboration. I’m so happy we doubled down on this approach. Today, we find ourselves working with an amazing set of clients, an unbelievably talented and conscientious team of recruiters, and a clear vision of where we want to go and how to get there. It’s been a rewarding 9 years, full of lessons, blood, sweat, and tears. But in many ways, it feels like we’re just getting started. Thank you to every single person who has supported us on this journey so far." #BuiltEnvironment #Recruitment #WeAreHiring

🌟🔍 Stop Before You Hop... Away From Top Talent 🔍🌟 Came across an interesting point about the caution against hiring individuals who've changed jobs frequently, especially if it's within short spans like under two years. It made me reflect on my own journey and sparked an essential realization. 🤔✨ Before we label someone as a "job hopper," let's dig deeper. True, consistent shifts might raise eyebrows, but what if these moves are signs of a relentless pursuit for growth, a quest for teams that match their A-player energy, or a search for a role where their contributions are valued and recognized? 🚀💡 Not every job is cut out for the high achievers. If they're surrounded by mediocrity, not acknowledged for their efforts, or see no ladder to climb, they'll naturally seek new horizons. This isn't a red flag; it's a beacon signaling a star player in motion! ⭐🔄 So, when you're scouting for exceptional talent, an interview can be revealing. It's not just about why they moved but what they're moving towards. Are they driven? Do they possess the emotional intelligence and collaborative spirit you value? That's what truly matters. 🌱🤝 And remember, attracting top-tier talent means fostering a top-tier environment. Excellence attracts excellence. If your team and culture aren't designed to nurture and challenge A-players, even the best might find themselves "job hopping" away from your doorstep. 🌟🚪 Let's shift our perspective on job mobility and recognize it as a potential indicator of ambition, not instability. The key lies in understanding the why behind the moves and ensuring our teams are spaces where true talent wants to stay and thrive. 🌈💼 #CareerGrowth #JobHopping #APlayers #TeamBuilding #LeadershipInsights

Our people are the most important part of SMG, and we're looking for more brilliant people as we continue to grow. So, what's it like to work here? 🤔 Our values and behaviors define our culture. These values aren’t merely words on a wall or a website; they guide every aspect of our business. We constantly reference our values at every opportunity, integrating them into our work plans, year-end reviews, and, of course, the interview process. Embracing honesty, hunger, foolishness, and, of course, having fun helps us achieve the amazing results we see across the business today. Here’s what they mean to us: 🚀 Stay Hungry We actively look for growth opportunities and have a continuous focus on improving our offering for both our clients and our people. We are proud and passionate leaders and this translates to every piece of work that we do. 🏅 Stay Honest We actively seek and give feedback from those around us so we can develop ourselves and our teams. We build collaborative relationships with our colleagues and clients so we can achieve great results together. We are trusted advisors, ensuring we do the right thing for everyone involved. 💡 Stay Foolish We are constantly learning, evolving, and developing. We are not comfortable sitting still and understand that to grow as individuals, and as a business, we need to be brave in trying new things. We actively have an always ‘on’ approach to learning, sharing our knowledge, and pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone. 🎉 Have Fun We are champions of positivity. We try hard to always make things successful and see the best in every situation. We win as a team and lose as a team, demonstrating empathy for others. We celebrate our similarities and our differences. It’s this togetherness that makes us strong. If these values & behaviors are something you resonate with, apply today for one of our many live roles using the link in the comments 👇 If there isn't an open role that suits you currently, apply for our ⭐ Talented Individuals ⭐ role, and we'll contact you with the right opportunity. #hiring #liverole #jobad #culture Jodie Verrall | Elly Rossmaur | Archie Watson | Cristina D'Alessio | Emilia Perrin

I see this background multiple times a day but last night was different. I had no mom or house duties, just time to reflect. Five years ago, I was bartending and pursuing my bachelors degree. My son was one at that time and I needed a change. Working nights wasn’t sustainable for me with child care. I initially interviewed for an entry level sales position with the HR manager at my previous employer. I was notified that they were also searching for an HR administrator. I decided to ask if I could be considered for that role instead. She happened to know the managing partner who I listed as a reference. He provided me a great recommendation (for my people skills not my bartending skills because those are questionable). With zero experience in HR, she decided to take a chance on me. Within 6 months, she accepted a promotion and I was promoted to HR manager three days before I graduated. Growth requires change and I decided to make a move. She supported me 100%. She is a leader I aspire to be. She changed my life. Today, I had the opportunity to present in person with a team of talented colleagues from the Hispanic and Black Leadership Development Program. A few things I have learned over the past 5 years: 1. You have to take a chance on yourself to allow others to take a chance on you. 2. The candidate with minimal experience but eagerness to learn…. Hire them. 3. Rewrite your story as many times as you want. Your circumstances do not define you. You define you. 4. Networking and building relationships is essential to your success. 5. Enjoy the moment and be kind to yourself. Reflection is good. I am grateful.

"That’s BOLD‼" I heard that A LOT when I left my corporate executive job where I'd been for 27 years and went to a small healthcare startup. People told me it was risky. They questioned the industry's stability. They didn't understand why I'd give up so many stock options close to vesting or the "security" of a known organization. But I left because I knew I needed to grow. I needed to get uncomfortable and try something brand new with people I didn't know and could learn from. I knew going into this that it wouldn't be the only job or work left in me before I retire so, if this didn't work out, I'd at least learn something from the experience. But here's what I didn't expect to happen that did: 🌟 With a more flexible schedule at my new company, I attended almost every single one of my son's sporting events while he was in middle school 🌟 My network grew exponentially because I met people across a wide range of industries by making this move (like Jordan Thomas, Stewart Meyer, Lindsay Pedersen, Tom Hanny, Heather S. and Toni Best) 🌟 I ended up working with other former Starbucks partners in new and fun ways as consultants and advisors to my new company (like Kristy Millette, SHRM-SCP, Joy Das Gupta and Ryan Turner) 🌟 I gained valuable skills working in a smaller organization that have helped me with my consulting clients Sometimes, what's on the other side may be more than you can imagine. But you'll never know if you don't take that step. #careertransition #jobchange #womanownedbusiness #managementconsulting #leadershipcoach