By: Mitzi Kent. RN, BSN | mkent@barlowmccarthy.com
As many of you know, my passion is rowing—I row at least four days a week at Row House, an indoor studio with great music and fantastic coaches. I began examining rowing and provider recruitment. While they might seem unrelated at first, I discovered several similarities. Here are seven key parallels and ways to improve our provider recruitment.
1.Teamwork: Both rowing and recruitment require effective collaboration. In rowing, team members must synchronize their movements to achieve optimal performance. Similarly, in recruitment, teamwork between hiring managers and HR professionals is essential for selecting the right fit candidates.
2.Strategy: Rowing involves planning the best techniques and strategies for hitting benchmarks. Similarly, recruitment requires strategic thinking to identify the right talent and fit for the organization. Sourcing plans help develop how to approach searches and achieve a clinical, community, and cultural fit.
3.Communication: Clear communication is vital in rowing to ensure all team members are aligned. Similarly, in recruitment, effective communication is crucial for conveying expectations and feedback. It’s important to communicate with prospective candidates and share your plan, results, and market intelligence with key stakeholders.
4.Goal Orientation: Both activities are driven by specific goals—rowers aim to win races and achieve personal bests, while recruiters focus on filling positions with qualified candidates promptly. Ensure you share your goals with key stakeholders, so they understand your objectives.
5.Performance Metrics: Success in rowing is often measured by time and placement, while in recruitment, it’s gauged by the quality of hires and the time to fill positions. If you’re unable to track data, start with one or two metrics that resonate with your team.
6.Adaptability: Rowers must adapt to changing conditions based on their body’s response, while recruiters adjust strategies according to market trends and candidate availability. Trust your instincts and know when it’s time to pivot.
7.Training and Development: Just as rowers continuously train to improve their skills, recruitment professionals must engage in ongoing learning to refine their techniques and stay updated on industry’s best practices. Whether you’ve been recruiting for 20 years or 2, there’s always something new to learn. Connect with educators on LinkedIn and attend training sessions when possible.
In essence, both rowing and recruitment emphasize collaboration, strategy, and the pursuit of excellence, making their similarities profound despite different contexts. Rowing is excellent for mental and physical health, working 85% of your muscles. Try it! I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do.
If Barlow/McCarthy can assist with your training needs, we’d love to help! Please use the link below to schedule a complimentary conversation so we can learn more about your needs. https://calendly.com/mkent-barlowmccarthy/complimentary-conversation