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Improving Hiring Practices through Intuition, Energy, and Trust (lessons from horses)

In the fast-paced world of hiring, where resumes and interviews dominate the process, it's easy to overlook the power of intuition, energy, and trust.


However, horses, with their innate ability to read body language, intention, and energy, can serve as remarkable teachers in the realm of hiring.


Horses are astute observers of human behavior, and they excel at assessing situations and individuals. By interacting with these majestic animals, you can learn to read subtle cues, understand non-verbal communication in deeper ways, and tune into your intuition. Instead of relying solely on resumes and scripted interview questions, you can discover the importance of observation, assessing energy levels, and gauging authenticity.


One of the key lessons that horses teach is the significance of presence.



In a world filled with distractions and multitasking, being fully present is often overlooked. Horses invite your undivided attention, asking you to connect with them on a heart-level rather than intellectual. They have no formal words like humans, but they're communicating connection (or DIS-connection) through tiny ear flicks, shifts in breath, and movement and more. In the realm of hiring, this translates to being fully engaged in the moment, listening intently to tiny details and body language. Positive interactions are those where you find ways to cultivate genuine connection with candidates and this doesn't just "happen" by showing up to the interview, right?! It's a skill.


Another crucial aspect of hiring is learning to trust your gut. Horses are incredibly intuitive animals, and they can sense authenticity and sincerity. You are encouraged to trust your instincts and intuition when assessing candidates. Instead of relying solely on rational analysis. Great hiring managers learn to listen to that inner voice that often knows exactly what's right.


Have you ever heard that voice inside tell you to go ahead and hire the smile and train the skill when put in a position to pick from two candidates, one of which has all the "right" experience and knowledge and the other who has limited experience yet an awesome attitude and hunger to learn?


I have. And my gut was always right.


Horses also emphasize the importance of curiosity. Through interactive exercises with horses, you can learn to dig deep and ask probing questions that reveal candidates' true character, fit with the company culture, and potential for success. By pivoting to questions that lead to meaningful insights, they can make more informed hiring decisions and avoid costly mistakes.


A brown horse standing with his ears forward at the fence looking curious.

Perhaps most importantly, horses teach leaders to approach hiring with suspended judgement. By embracing curiosity and staying receptive to new possibilities, you can uncover hidden talents and strengths in candidates that may have otherwise been overlooked.


Lessons learned from horses in the context of hiring go beyond traditional methods and offer a holistic approach to talent acquisition. By tapping into intuition, energy, and trust, leaders can make more insightful hiring decisions, build stronger teams, and foster a culture of authenticity and connection within their organizations.


So, the next time you're faced with a hiring decision, remember to slow down, listen to your gut, and trust the wisdom of the horses...and I'll bet you'll make a great choice!


If you want a chance to learn more from horses so you can improve your hiring and leadership, join me at the upcoming Hiring with Horsepower event in Parker, CO!


What have horses taught YOU about hiring? I'd love to know, so drop me a comment to share.

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