5 Key Takeaways:

1. Emphasize Ownership and Autonomy: Look for candidates who show a genuine desire to take ownership of their work.
2. Build Trust: Cultivate a trusting environment to facilitate effective communication and decision-making.
3. Be Wary of Red Flags: Pay attention to the work history of potential hires, as patterns of short tenures can indicate problems.
4. Adapt Hiring with Growth: As your company grows, so should your team-building strategies.
5. Understand Employee Mindsets: Distinguish between ‘missionary’ and ‘mercenary’ mindsets to find team members who align with your company’s long-term goals.

Show Notes

• [00:00:00] Introduction to the episode and Venture for Canada
• [00:01:00] Kevin Kliman’s unique journey from dentistry to tech entrepreneurship
• [00:02:00] The ideal attributes of prospective employees in a startup
• [00:04:00] Recognizing red flags in potential hires
• [00:11:00] Adapting team-building strategies as a company grows
• [00:13:00] Hiring challenges: Transitioning from big tech to startups
• [00:21:00] The importance of hard work and focused effort, drawn from Kevin’s dental background
• [00:28:00] The concept of ‘missionary vs. mercenary’ in employee mindset
• [00:33:00] The Humi interview process and combating bias
• [00:42:00] Final thoughts on building trust within teams