Hiring: Does Short Term Thinking Cause Long Term Problems?

Written By Dr. Philip D. Mann, PMP, PMI-RMP

After watching a video animation of a short part of a Dan Ariely talk on romantic relationships and investment in them, I started thinking about the way we approach hiring. Consider how similar hiring decisions are to romantic decisions. We interview a person based on an online profile or short resume, the candidate gets a short look at the company through a web page and an interview, and at that point both decide whether to start a relationship with them that requires us to make an investment.

At first, we only see the the glossy image that each put forth, the image which certainly hides some flaws and overstates some features while underplaying others. As we spend time in the same space and on the same projects, we slowly begin to understand the other, and then we have to revisit our decision periodically to see if we want to continue the relationship -- to continue investing in one another -- or do we want to go talk to glossy image we see in another company or candidate on the other side of the monitor.

At this point, I don't really have an answer to the dilemma. I know that government employers are starting to face this issue more and more as private organizations and NGOs being to offer work environments and benefits packages that are better in many ways, for more fulfilling work, and in a way that understands the younger workforce. Likewise, technology has made it easier than ever to look into the pool of options to find companies or candidates that are at fit better, at least marginally, in the glossy image.

If I had to be pinned-down to something productive, I think the best option for both companies and candidates is to be honest with themselves and what they are looking for. Really dig in to the culture and future of the teams we recruit for to try to discover where the crazy and ugly is, and try to find fit between company and candidate at the crazy and ugly instead of trying to cover them up. To parallel the old canard, turn the bug into a [legitimate] feature.

Note: This post first appeared as a LinkedIn blog by Dr. Mann on January 14, 2017.

Dr. Philip D. Mann, PMP, PMI-RMP

Dr. Philip D. Mann brings 17 years of experience at the Federal Aviation Administration to the intersection of artificial intelligence, safety systems, and organizational risk management. As an internationally recognized expert in aviation operations and safety, Dr. Mann has appeared in major news outlets providing critical analysis on aviation incidents and safety protocols.

Currently affiliated with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Dr. Mann combines academic rigor with real-world operational expertise. With a PhD in Organization and Management, complemented by an MBA, MPA, and BS in Business Management, Dr. Mann bridges the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical implementation. Professional certifications include PMP and PMI-RMP credentials from the Project Management Institute.

Dr. Mann's forthcoming book, The SCAR Framework: A Systematic Approach to AI Decision-Making in Critical Systems, provides executives and safety professionals with a field-tested methodology for determining when and how to responsibly implement artificial intelligence in high-stakes environments. The framework—addressing Safety, Complexity, Accountability, and Resilience—emerged from extensive research in transportation, healthcare, defense, and public infrastructure sectors.

Specializing in project management, organizational behavior, and educational technologies, Dr. Mann consults with organizations navigating the complex landscape of digital transformation in safety-critical operations. Their work emphasizes evidence-based decision-making, risk quantification, and the human factors essential to the successful integration of technology.

When not analyzing safety systems or developing risk management strategies, Dr. Mann pursues science-based bodybuilding and is actively learning Latin American Spanish—disciplines that reinforce the same systematic approach to excellence that characterizes their professional work.

https://www.scarframework.com
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