Top companies are now utilizing language psychology when it comes to identifying and recruiting the best employees. Business model expert Christopher Skinner has analyzed 30,000 businesses and millions of leaders over a 15-year period to understand why some companies enjoy accelerated and sustained growth despite challenges like supply-chain glitches, rising inflation, and political disruption. Skinner believes that the key to success lies in who these companies hire.
Skinner developed a methodology that uses the psychology of language to determine individual and team mindsets. By studying vast amounts of speech and text online, he can identify archetypal personality types and personalities of entire organizations. Through his research, Skinner has found that successful companies recruit ace teams with specific personality traits that align with their organizational goals.
Skinner's work involves analyzing language density at scale, categorizing words and phrases used by individuals and organizations into basic personality types. For example, results-driven individuals use words like 'complete,' 'obtain,' and 'secure,' while sales whiz opportunists use hedge words such as 'because,' 'therefore,' 'if,' and 'then.'
Successful leaders often exhibit a combination of results-driven thinking and system thinking, valuing relationships and varied interactions among teams and networks. Skinner emphasizes the importance of placing the right personality types in the right positions within a company to avoid friction and maximize productivity.
Skinner's research has been utilized by major companies like Google, Vodafone, Bose, and United Airlines to improve their hiring processes and build effective teams. He advises employers to give personality tests to potential hires while adhering to privacy laws.
Ultimately, Skinner believes that a company's 'people operating system' is crucial for sustained success. By surrounding themselves with the right people and fostering a culture of purpose-driven recruitment, companies can achieve long-term growth and profitability.
Skinner's insights highlight the importance of understanding individual and team mindsets in driving organizational success and adapting to changing market dynamics. By leveraging language psychology in recruitment and team-building efforts, companies can position themselves for continued growth and innovation in a competitive business landscape.
