I�??ve had a fierce independent streak since childhood. I was the first and only child in my family for 14 years.  I got used to doing things on my own. In short, I become a very independent human being.  �??I do it myself!�?? was my three year old mantra.  I had great pride in learning new things and not needing my parents�?? help.  Always an early riser, I would climb out of bed in the morning before my mother woke up and dress myself. I would go to the closet, pull down a dress and put it on.  Except �?? the typical little girl frock of the early 1950�??s buttoned in the back.  Not to be stopped, I simply turned the dress backwards and fastened the buttons down my chest.  I was determined to make it work. Mom, upon rising, praised my initiative for getting dressed without her, and attempted to persuade me to readjust my dress with the buttons in back where they belonged.  Easier said than done.  There were simply days I wore my dresses backwards.  Independent?  Yes.  Fashion conscious?  No.
 
That independent streak has remained and still serves me well in the recruiting world.  Being an independent sort, I pride myself on not �??following the herd.�??  If I follow the herd, I end up with the same tired results that everyone else does.  Going to the boards to recruit brings limited value and stale results. When I stray, I come up with unique results that no one else has visited and the very best undiscovered candidates. Think counterintuitively.  Go places that other people aren�??t going.  Always keep your antennae up. Do something unexpected.

One of my most gifted candidates came from a fire drill. One of those big city fire drills where you and your office mates travel down seven floors with other hapless fire drill participants. While waiting for the fire drill to end, I met the most talented CFO.  Over a period of time, we built a working relationship and he has been a client and a candidate for me over the years.  All from a fire drill.  Who would have thought!

This summer I had a speaking engagement at a national association convention. The pressure was off after my presentation and I was enjoying the pool with my family.  A participant I had met earlier in the day, dog paddled by and said that she had missed my presentation but had heard good things, and wanted the information I offered.  I didn�??t have my card with me, but we connected later �?? and I hope to develop her into another candidate. This one was a no brainer. Instead of trying to unnaturally force myself on unsuspecting conventioneers, I offer solid subject matter and they approached me. It wasn�??t only in the pool.  I was approached in the ladies room, during breakfast, coffee breaks and lunch.  People sat down next to me before conference sessions and introduced themselves because they had attended my session. They were attracted to the information that I had to offer.  I gained powerful contacts from people who sought me out.  Unconventional.  Counterintuitive.  Call it what you will.  It works.

What�??s the most independent path you�??ve taken to secure candidates or clients?

And �??Happy Fourth!�??