All the Monkeys Aren't at the Zoo

Are you a thrill seeker who gets high on every new product idea or marketing strategy? It’s the possibility phase of a project that you enjoy. It’s the anticipation, the conceptualizing. You are the ultimate brainstormer. Where you fail is in the execution. All those details are downers. You’d rather move on to your next great revelation and leave the production to someone else.

If that sounds like your resume or LinkedIn profile, according to Dorrie Clark’s recent Forbes article, “Why Innovative People Fail,” you’re probably an Idea Monkey. The term comes from the book, Free The Idea Monkey…to focus on what matters most! Co-authors Mike Maddock and Raphael Louis Viton offer tips on building effective teams by pairing “Idea Monkeys” with “Ringleaders,” the detail, production people who mind the details and keep things running smoothly.

Entrepreneurs have a tendency toward the Idea Monkey profile. And that’s why, according to Maddock and Viton, they fail. It’s a natural tendency to surround yourself with people like you. You share the same ideas, passions and energy. Lots of fun and high-fives. While you’re busy dreaming up the next iPad or SmartPhone app, the bills don’t get paid, projects fall out and investors jump ship. Corporations, they suggest, may be successful for years before they go under. The problem later on? Too many Ringleaders, plodding along with the same old processes and products. While they’ve been very productive, innovation and change passed them by. The solution is to build a balanced team of Idea Monkeys and Ringleaders to cover the bases and keep everyone in check.

A lot of companies waiting out the recession are beginning to hire again. With a vast talent pool available, finding the right mix of Idea Monkeys and Ringleaders can be tricky. You won’t see those titles on a resume. Creative interview questions and a good assessment of your present talent mix will give the best results.

1. Who’s currently in your Zoo? Before you hire one more person, determine your present mix. No sense hiring an Idea Monkey to fill an assistant manager position reporting to an Idea Monkey manager. It could be lots of fun, but who’s going to get things done? Determine the personality type of every manager and work group with an open position to see what personalities and skill sets will fill in the gaps.
    
2. Make a balanced plan and then interview for fit. Update job descriptions to specify skill sets. Craft interview questions that reveal the personality type you’re looking for. Want an Idea Monkey? Give the applicant a Styrofoam coffee cup and give them five minutes to write down every possible use they can think of. If the only one they come up with is “drinking coffee,” move on. If you're looking for a Ringleader, ask the applicant to give step-by-step instructions to make coffee, open a door or some other common everyday process. A good Ringleader should have a sequential, process-driven mind with attention to detail.

Every company has its own requirements. A design firm may need more Idea Monkeys, while an engineering firm or hospital needs more Ringleaders. Finding the right mix may promote harmony and increase creativity and productivity at your Zoo.