You Shouldn’t Hire a Leader if You Don’t Know What You’re Looking For

Organizations often make the mistake of hiring or promoting leaders based solely on technical ability. Yes, a leader must be good at their job—but that’s only half of the equation. The other half is whether they can fit your culture, align with your values, and move the company toward its goals without disruption.

 A technically strong candidate who doesn’t align with your organization’s way of working can cause just as many problems as someone who lacks the skills altogether. True leadership requires both competence and cultural alignment.

That raises the question: what does leadership look like in your organization?

Many companies struggle to answer this. They know what the job entails—budgets, compliance, project delivery—but when asked to describe the leadership attributes that make someone successful in their unique environment, they come up blank. Without clarity, it’s impossible to train for leadership internally or hire effectively from outside.

This is why defining leadership expectations should be the first step in any succession planning process. Create a clear picture of the traits, behaviors, and values that matter most. Do you prize adaptability? Collaboration? Vision? The answer will vary by organization, but the exercise forces you to articulate what leadership means in your context.

Once you know what you’re looking for, the next challenge is figuring out how to identify those traits in people. It’s not enough to ask about technical accomplishments. Interviews and conversations must probe deeper: What do candidates believe about teamwork? How do they handle setbacks? What motivates them? By uncovering character, values, and belief systems, you’ll know whether someone has what it takes to lead in your organization.

Leadership is more than skill—it’s fit, mindset, and alignment. Get clear on what leadership means for your business, and you’ll never again feel like you’re gambling when hiring or developing your next senior leader.

Related: Grab a copy of The Starter List of Leadership Behaviors