How to Know You've Hired the Right Leader: Beyond Speak to Substance

Hiring the right leader is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make. The wrong choice can cost more than just money - it can impact team morale, stall progress, and set back your mission.

Yet, in today's fast-paced world, it's easy to fall for the confident presentation and the polished answers, the "speak".  But how can you ensure the person you're hiring has the substance to back it up?  Modern Leadership requires character, alignment, and the ability to take decisive, mission-driven action that delivers results.  All too often, organizations pour time, money and effort into the wrong leader, let's make sure that doesn't happen to you!

When you've done the work to evaluate the "gold under your feet" (from last week's newsletter) but still find a gap, that's the moment to look externally.  And when you do, make sure you hire for substance over speak, here's how:

1.) Define What Success Looks Like

Before you begin to search, articulate what success in the role means:

• What specific goals should this leader achieve in 6 months, 1 year, and beyond?

• How will their leadership impact the team's performance, culture, and long-term strategy?

Clear, measurable outcomes will help you focus your evaluation process on candidates with the experience and mindset to deliver those results.

2.) Identify Must-Have Leadership Behaviors

Leaders influence not only results but also the energy and morale of your team.  Define the behaviors that matter most:

• Do you need someone who fosters collaboration?

• Are they required to drive innovation in a fast-changing environment?

• Is creating an open environment and developing talent critical to your company's future?

Prioritize these attributes and probe for real examples of when and how the candidate has demonstrated them.

3.) Prioritze Substance Over Style

Confidence and charisma can be convincing, but they shouldn't overshadow track record and depth.  During the interview:

• Ask open-ended questions that uncover how candidates have handled real challenges.

• Look for candidates who balance humility with competence, leaders who acknowledge mistakes and focus on learning and growth are often the ones who build sustainable results.

• Use tools like reference checks to verify how their actions have impacted others and delivered outcomes.  

4.) Test for Vision and Exeution

It's not enough for a leader to have a great vision, they must be able to execute on it.

• Present real-world scenarios your team might face and ask how they would approach them. 

• Look for their ability to balance strategic thinking with practical steps for implementation.

5.) Align Leadership to Your Culture

Culture fit isn't about hiring someone who mirrors your current team, it's about finding someone who complements your values and can drive them forward.

• Share key cultural aspects of your organization during the interview process.

• Ask how the candidate has aligned their leadership style with organizational culture in the past.

The Importance of Clarity

When you take the time to:

✅Fully assess the potential of your current team.

✅Clearly outline the skills, values, and outcomes you need in a new leader.

✅Prioritize substance over style in the hiring process.

You create a roadmap for making the right decision - one that benefits your team, culture, and long-term goals.

Takeaway

The next time you're hiring a leader, remember:

The groundwork you lay before and during the hiring process will determine your success.  Today it takes a different type of leader to foster engagement of a multigenerational workforce so choose carefully!  And if it's time to bring in someone new, focus on hiring for substance over speak to secure the leader who will truly drive results and impact.  

Secondary Foods: Key to a Healthy Life

While primary foods (things like friendships, career, spiritual well-being), are essential for overall life satisfaction, secondary foods are essential for sustaining our physical health.  They nourish our bodies on a cellular level and help us to maintain everything from digestion to immunity, metabolism, and mental clarity.  Remember, when we feel well, we do well.  

How Secondary Foods Contribute to a Healthy Life

1.) Fuel Your Body: At their core, secondary foods provide the essential nutrients that our bodies need to function.  Proteins help build and repair tissues, while carbohydrates provide energy for daily activities.  Healthy fats support brain health and hormone production, and fruits and vegetables offer vital vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help fight off illness and promote vitality.

2.) Supporting Digestive Health: Your digestive system relies heavily on the foods you eat.  A balanced diet rich in fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can improve digestion, prevent constipation, and help regulate blood sugar levels.  Foods rich in prebiotics and probiotics, like yogurt, and fiber-rich fruits, support a healthy gut biome, which is vital for your immune system and overall health.

3.) Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Secondary foods are also closely linked to mental health.  Nutrient-dense foods, like leafy greens, berries, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can help support brain function and improve mood.  Proper nourishment with whole, unprocessed foods can balance hormones and improve focus.  Eating well doesn't just fuel your body - it can also elevate your mental clarity and emotional resilience.

4.) Building Immunity: Secondary foods play an important role in supporting your immune system.  Vitamin C-rich foods like citrus, bell peppers, and broccoli, as well as zinc-rich foods like pumpkin seeds and legumes, can enhance immune function.  Incorporating a variety of colorful vegetables into your diet not only ensures you're getting a wide range of vitamins and minerals, but also provides antioxidants that help protect cells from damage and support overall immune health.

5.) Regulate your Metabolism: Eating balanced secondary foods helps to regulate your metabolism.  Nutrient-dense meals filled with whole grains, lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables provide essential nutrients without excess calories.  These foods keep you feeling satisfied longer, therefore helping you make healthier choices throughout the day.

How to Make Secondary Foods Work Best For You

• Focus on whole, unprocessed foods.  Aim to fill your plate with whole, nutrient-dense foods.

• Diversify your meals with a wide range of colorful fruits and vegetables to ensure you're getting a broad spectrum of nutrients.  

• Meal prep for success!  Preparing your meals ahead of time with nutritious secondary foods helps you make better choices.

• Be mindful about what you're eating.  Pay attention to the foods you are putting into your body and how they make you feel.

What's New @ Modwellship

A healthy gut is essential for overall well-being.  It influences everything from digestion to immune function.  In fact, nearly 70% of your immune system is housed in the gut, and a balanced microbiome is key to supporting your health.  That's why nurturing your gut with nutrient-rich, gut-healthy foods is so impoartant. 

See below for our turmeric and ginger chicken soup!  This recipe is packed with gut-healing ingredients.  It is designed to support digestion, and reduce inflammation.

Ingredients

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 lb. organic chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 small onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 - inch ginger, peeled and grated

1 tsp. ground turmeric

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground coriander

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

4 cups chicken bone broth

2 cups water

2 medium carrots, diced

1 zucchini, diced

1 cup greens (spinach or kale)

Juice of 1 lemon

Salt and pepper to taste

Cilantro for garnish

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat.  Add in the diced onions and saute until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.  Add the garlic, ginger, and spices.  Stir for another 1-2 minutes, or until spices are fragrant.  

Add the chicken to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.  About 5-7 minutes.  Pour in the bone broth and water.  Add in your vegetables.  Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat down to a simmer.  Cook for 25 minutes.  After 25 minutes, you want the chicken to be fully cooked and the vegetables to be tender.  

Once the soup is ready for serving, add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper.  Stir to combined.  Garnish with cilantro if desired.