Situation: The Sneaky Sneaks Shoe Company has been in business for 15 years, and during all that time, operations have been led by the company’s CEO, Larry. However, Larry has recently decided that he would like to hire someone to handle operations full-time. With 15 years in the business, Larry is confident he can train a person on what’s involved in the job, but he wants his operations leader to have good technical and strategic skills. Which type of candidate would be best for this role?
- An experienced operations leader
- A transitioning generalist
- A credentialed specialist
- Now is not the right time to hire anybody
Explanation: The correct answer is A transitioning generalist. In the given scenario, Larry, the CEO of The Sneaky Sneaks Shoe Company, seeks to hire someone to handle operations full-time after leading operations himself for 15 years. Given Larry’s confidence in his ability to train a person on the job’s specifics, the most suitable candidate for this role would be a transitioning generalist. This candidate would possess a broad range of skills and experiences across different domains, making them adaptable and capable of handling various aspects of operations, including technical and strategic responsibilities. While an experienced operations leader might bring valuable expertise, a transitioning generalist would offer versatility and flexibility, enabling them to effectively navigate the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the role. Additionally, Larry’s desire for someone with good technical and strategic skills aligns well with the profile of a transitioning generalist, who typically has a solid foundation in both technical and strategic domains due to their diverse background and experiences. Hiring a transitioning generalist would allow The Sneaky Sneaks Shoe Company to leverage their diverse skill set and fresh perspectives, facilitating innovation and growth under Larry’s guidance. Therefore, a transitioning generalist would be the best candidate for the operations leader role, meeting Larry’s criteria for technical and strategic skills while offering adaptability and potential for long-term success within the company.