At entry levels to jobs, a test is first used to identify those who have developed themselves in the past and have the capacity to deliver in the moment.
Then, there is an interview to identify those who can connect the past to the future and who can shape the future.
The one who demonstrates all four best—development, delivery, connection, and shaping—gets the job.
For experienced hires, a test is not required because development and delivery are assumed to be proven.
Only an interview is required because what needs to be checked is your ability to connect across boundaries and shape the future.
As individuals grow within an organization, the same trend is seen.
At the bottom of the pyramid, what distinguishes you is how fast you develop and how consistently you deliver results.
At the top of the pyramid, what distinguishes you is how you connect people to a shared purpose and shape a legacy.
The hard part is that no one tells you when to switch focus.
Those who identify the moment a switch is required get to the top; others get stuck in the middle.
– Osasu Oviawe