My wife and I were looking to buy a car. We buy a car about every 6 or 7 years and always start the process by looking at all the new car models, and brands, and innovations. When you don’t buy cars too often, you need to first get caught up on all the new things out there. Who knew someone invented power windows?!?
During our search phase we stopped by the local Hyundai dealer. I had never seen a Hyundai up close, and wanted to learn what this Korean brand was all about. The salesman walked us to the back lot to see the new Santa Fe model’s that were just delivered. That’s when we walked by this car:
This placard will dissuade many customers. I mean, would Hyundai want their sales reps wearing “Fucking Trashy” t-shirts in the showroom? Of course not, it would turn away customers. And so does this big bold statement in the middle of the Hyundai dealer’s parking lot.
I have no problem with a good F bomb. In fact I fucking love them. My issue is when a business, any business, has a mismatch between the Immutable Laws of the business and the Immutable Laws of the people who work there.
Your employees are the gateway to your business, and the first impression they make is the first (and long lasting) impression your business is making. You can’t tuck employees in the corner. You can’t make them into something their not either. But you shouldn’t hire people on skill alone, they need to match your companies values.
Quite frankly, my hats off to the owner of this car. He has a clear confidence in how he expresses himself. I genuinely admire that. More of us (myself especially) need balls like that. I just question, in a big way, if he is what Hyundai wants. And I further question if Hyundai is what he wants. There is just too great of a mismatch between the values of the business and the employee.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this employee is an incredible mechanic. But that doesn’t mean he is suited to represent the brand. And it doesn’t mean he will even like the people he works with, who do share the values of the company. Is it more likely that “fucking trashy” fellow would be a world class mechanic for motorcycle shop that serves metal head rebels? Or better yet for a dealer that does custom car mods for people who pride themselves on their trashiness.
Great employees are more than just capable. They share the Immutable Laws of the company. Mismatches will result in lost business. Every time. I bought our fucking car elsewhere.
I received this great question via email and want to post my response here:
When I first read the title of the blog, I thought it would offer more tips about what an employee can do if he/she realizes they’re not a match with their employer when it comes to values. I know this is why a lot of us decide to leave the corporate workplace and either work for startups or start our own businesses (I’ve done both!). Any insight on the thought process and/or steps a seemingly trapped employee could take to fix the situation?
My response if you are the trapped employee:
1. First and foremost, bring your Immutable Laws to a conscious level. I mean, we all have values, but just let them hum away in the back of our brain. You need to take the time to really understand yourself. What are those rules you play by? What makes you happy? Angry? Document the way you react to different things – in other words, what are your reactions to actions and WHY?
2. Once you know what your values are, seek out other companies that have these values. It is impossible to change other people (and nearly impossible to change yourself), so for any employee to think they can change the Immutable Laws for an entire company, your crazy. Try changing the thinking and behavior of any one person, and it will take a lifetime. Try changing the thinking and behavior of every single person in an organization, and it will take your soul (and still not be successful). The goal here is to find a community (business) where you will thrive naturally.
3. Don’t look for your identical twin. But don’t local for your polar opposite. You are seeking a yin and yang here. The balance of that symbol is that the black side and white side, share a common link… the border between them. The same is true for the company you work for… you will not be an overlap of each other, but you need to share the common border. That’s the immutable laws.
4. Find the Immutable Laws of other companies, by interviewing them. That’s right… when you look for a job, ask to interview the employees. Ask them about the values of the company. Just ask them what they perceive the values to be, and ask them to share stories around those values. Don’t make anything right or wrong here. Just seek the patterns of how values/Immutable Laws are playing out in the organization.
5. When you find an overlap in Immutable Laws… you have a match. A strong match. Ironically, the skills and experience you need to do the job will be learned fast. If you love where you work, and love what you do. You will learn the experience part fast.
For employers:
1. Don’t hire on skills or experience. That is the one and only thing you can give employees.
2. Hire on shared Immutable Laws. If your employees share the same values, they become an unstoppable force.
3. Look for patterns in the employees previous work/school/life experiences that reveal their Immutable Laws. Ask for stories. Don’t judge good or bad, just ask and listen. Interview for as long as necessary to get a sense of their Immutable Laws / values.
4. If there are a match on Immutable Laws, pick the most passionate people. The most intelligent. The most driven. The most talented. Don’t worry about experience or technical training/skill. All that can be learned. And they will master it fast if they are intelligent, driven and passionate… and most importantly, share your Immutable Laws.
Really enjoyed you posting this email exchange in response to the post — it’s like a whole other blog post! Super insightful — thanks, Mike.
Tis my pleasure, Devan.
When I sold cars, we weren’t even allowed to park in the lot unless we had a demo vehicle or it was the make/model we sold. If it was dirty the owner would loose his mind. I don’t think business owners are paying attention -before- things like this appear. Great job Mike.
The first impression is the BIG impression. Perhaps, the ONLY impression.