Rough around the edges

Have you ever missed out on a future top performer, manager or leader because you failed to recognize their potential? 

Or have you ever wasted your time on a person who had the apparent credentials while sporting a big personality but who turned out to be a bust?

So, how did your evaluation process fail you? What might you have done differently, or how might you approach it differently in the future?

In offering my observations on these questions, please excuse my use of several well-known sayings. However, they make my point.

Some people who did not have a breadth of life experiences or opportunities, or maybe due to a humble upbringing, are sometimes considered "rough around the edges." Meaning they show a lack of sophistication or refinement. They are recognized as unpolished, while their noticeable imperfections are measured against expected norms or established evaluation criteria. 

However, suppose you are willing to open your mind, set aside the checklist and take the time to dig deep into the person, their life story and background. In that case, you might discover someone "solid to the core." While not having the advantages, education, exposure or experiences of those seemingly more fortunate, you might find a down-to-earth, level-headed person of rock-solid character from possibly a humble upbringing, with hidden talents or strengths just waiting to surface with the proper recognition, training, development and coaching. 

These types of people are potentially a "diamond in the rough," meaning "a person of exceptional qualities or characteristics that cannot be seen from the surface" or "a person with great potential despite a rough exterior," according to definitions I found. They will not be evaluated as top draft choices, but these free agents might outperform those high draft choices in the long run. My mind goes to undrafted free agent Kurt Warner, who played in the NFL for twelve years with the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals while becoming a two-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl-winning MVP. A great life story you should read about.

And while it would be unrealistic to expect everyone who is "rough around the edges" to turn into a Kurt Warner, I am confident you will find it worth your time and effort to find these hidden gems. Personally, I would take an authentic, determined, high-character workhorse with correctable imperfections any day over a superficial show pony with a meticulously crafted resume. Then I would "coach them up." 

By the way, I have found it difficult to "coach up" character, with very few exceptions. The show pony doesn't think they need coaching, while the workhorse most likely welcomes any opportunity to improve.

I can tell you from several decades of experience; the payoff can be positive and substantial for everyone involved. By evaluating the person and not focusing solely on their presentation, appearance or resume, I have benefited substantially from quite a few of these "rough" but tremendously talented people during my career. And I am also very thankful for the impactful, insightful and patient people that looked beyond my "rough edges" and invested in me, especially early in my career. They made a big difference in my life. And you can make a difference in someone's life too - one that pays great dividends.