“Are you really now?”
By: Vincent Scaramuzzo, President, Ed-Exec, Inc.
Man, am I tired of that term. It has to be one of the most overused phrases in talent acquisition these days. I’ve even seen it used to describe a schools’ board of directors as” Our Rock Star Board of Directors” – Really? Are you 15? “
A quick Google Search of the “definition of Rock Star” included:
rock star
noun: rockstar
a famous and successful singer or performer of rock music.
“a teen-idol rock star”
a person treated as a celebrity, especially in inspiring fanatical admiration.
“she was a total rock star with paparazzi chasing her
My favorite came from the Urban Dictionary:
Someone who can stay up and party all night long and then wake up and take care of business in the morning.
Dude, I was partying HARD until four in the morning but showered and went to work for an eight o’clock meeting – cause I’m a rock star.
~ Does this sound like the person you want to hire? ~
Other phrases that are really overused include:
-game changer.
-someone who can make a big impact.
-a candidate with real charisma and sparkle.
Why would anyone want a “rock star” anyway? Aren’t they wild, promiscuous and unpredictable? Unstable “artsy” types that fly in the face of common sense and the norm?
Folks, lets be real. You likely have an opening or need to replace someone who is not performing. First step I recommend is to identify all of the deficiencies and pitfalls surrounding this position in your current organization. Nothing is perfect, they do exist. Flush them all out. Build an infrastructure around this position that is setup for success. That may be technology, business changes, marketing, staffing, etc. Then, find a reputable search firm and hire a solid, stable, tenured candidate who knows what they are doing. After they get in the role find out and give them whatever additional tools or resources they need to be successful.
You don’t need a Rock Star. The guy who keeps his head down, is passionate, and works hard will do just fine – and likely be one of the best hires you make.
Vincent Scaramuzzo is the President of Ed-Exec, Inc. A leading Education Executive Search Firm. He is also a contributing author to various education publications. As a specialist in the education field for over a decade, Scaramuzzo works nationally with Education Institutions, PK-12, and Educational Service Providers Nationwide. He can be contacted at vincent@ed-exec.com 860-781-7641.