Anchored Teams 1 — Interviewing for Character over Competence

Melanie
Jun 14
2 min read

It’s easy to picture a great team as being built of highly skilled people — but the most stable, effective teams are full of anchored people. These are individuals who own their growth, regulate themselves, and show up with clarity, resilience, and emotional maturity.

But building that kind of team starts with knowing how to find these people — before they’re on the floor, in the shift rotation, or part of a struggling dynamic.

So how do you spot someone who governs themselves?

How do you hire for ownership — not just a polished resume or a great presence?

You stop hiring only for experience or initial impressions.

You start looking for evidence of character.

1. Look for Self-Awareness Over Performance

Everyone has a go-to story for “Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge.” What matters isn’t the story — it’s how they tell it.

Look for:

Ownership of their role in the outcome
Reflection and learning
Respectful language about others
Awareness of patterns or growth areas

Try questions like:

“Tell me about a mistake you made and how you handled it.”
“What’s something you’ve worked hard to change about yourself professionally?”
“How do you handle it when someone gives you difficult feedback?”

2. Ask About Conflict and Accountability

Emotionally mature people don’t collapse in conflict. They know how to navigate hard moments without needing to be rescued.

Try asking:

“Tell me about a time you had to work with someone who didn’t like you — how did you handle it?”
“Tell me about a time you needed speak up about something that didn’t feel right. How did that go?”
“What’s your approach when a teammate isn’t pulling their weight?”

Look for people who:

Acted, but not aggressively
Communicated with clarity
Balanced humility with boundaries

3. Probe for Prioritization and Resilience

Anchored people don’t panic under pressure — they make intentional choices.

Ask:

“When you have too much to do, how do you decide what gets your attention first?”
“Describe a season when you felt overwhelmed. What helped you get through it?”
“What are you willing to give up in order to be excellent at your work?”

People who can answer these well have already learned to choose discomfort in service of purpose — and that’s where resilience lives.

4. Observe the Small Signals

Interview answers matter — but so does how they show up.

Watch for: