Hiring digital nomads - unlocking the power of a globally-minded workforce
Most of these newsletter editions are practical or theoretical, so they either help you or inspire you to create better remote operations. However, this one is a bit more personal.
We can't ignore digital nomads when we talk about remote work. They are the OGs, the community that has started it all. They worked remotely before it was cool or mandatory. As managers of remote businesses, we need to discuss why you need to hire them. But let me step back a bit and approach this topic as a confession.
There are character traits that make someone a fantastic person to work with. Qualities that make one a great addition to any team. I search for these traits when I hire someone proactively. To be honest, these traits are even more important to me than almost any kind of skill. People can learn skills. But it is so much harder to improve someone's character.
So let's talk about these traits, as most digital nomads naturally have them, which makes them a great hire.
Curiosity: the natural instinct for learning and growth
Curious people are always ready to learn new things and develop their skills. They are also the ones who ask controversial and hard questions.
I love people who ask the "why" question a lot.
Digital nomads are naturally curious. If they weren't, there would be no point in traveling and adapting to new situations every day.
Workplaces can use this curiosity to foster continuous learning and growth, ensuring their team members remain agile and competitive.
Curiosity is also the foundational stone for the trendy buzzword, growth mindset.
Problem-solving: a mindset shaped by constant travel
I talk about this a lot in terms of inspirational leadership. Problem-solving is a mindset of positivity.
It means you are positive and ready to face challenges. You get your hands dirty and solve the problems as they come up. You don't feel anxiety, stress, or overwhelming issues when solving problems.
For digital nomads, solving problems is a necessity. If they wouldn't be great problem solvers, they wouldn't be able to travel.
They need to adapt to new situations constantly. They are in problem-solving mode 0-24. Even if they travel slowly, the mindset is there.
So if you need someone who solves problems rapidly, nomads are here to help.
Diversity and open-mindedness: a catalyst for innovation
To be able to innovate, you need three things:
Curiosity to do better
Problem-solving to go forward
And an open mind to iterate all the time
Diversity is excellent fuel for an open mind. But, honestly, it is not a gender, race, or whatever question to have a diverse team. It is not (just) about equal representation.
It is all about having different world views collide. The more, the better. The more diverse, the more open the workplace. The more open, the more innovative.
Embracing diversity and open thinking is mandatory for nomads. If you live in a different culture than yours, you have to be open-minded. The more countries you visit and live in, the more diverse your thinking becomes.
For workplaces, digital nomads are a safe bet for innovation. They bring out-of-the-box thinking by nature.
Communication: the glue that sticks companies together
Lastly, you need people who communicate perfectly. Those who do, are the ones who drive the company forward.
Good communication means that people are precise, proactive, and honest.
Nomads are naturally great at communication since they live in different communities all the time.
Traveling solo or even as a couple is a lonely experience sometimes. So communication helps to gain new friends, find new communities, and feel a sense of belonging.
Companies can use this trait to boost team engagement and naturally cultivate a culture. Nomads are usually the connectors of teams.
There you go. There are 4 traits that I'm looking for - so should you - when hiring someone remotely:
Find the curious ones.
Find the problem-solvers.
Find those who are open-minded.
And find those who communicate well.
If you have those and a sense of a drive to grow, you'll find a gem on the shore. After that, skills are secondary.
I had an amazing chat with Nina Keizer lately - she runs the Digital Nomads Daily Show. Listen to the episode to learn more about what digital nomads can bring to the table.
Thanks for reading!
