| name | recruiting-honoring-talent |
| description | Use when recruiting capable individuals or retaining key advisors. Demonstrates respect through personal visits, public honors, and tests of sincerity to win loyalty from talented people regardless of status. |
Recruiting and Honoring Talent
Overview
Attract and retain capable individuals by demonstrating genuine respect, regardless of their current status or position.
Steps
- Identify individuals with valuable skills or knowledge, including those in humble positions
- Approach them personally with genuine respect rather than delegating to subordinates
- Offer material support appropriately; accept refusal with grace if they value integrity
- Host public gatherings where you can demonstrate honor toward the individual
- Personally travel to meet them, showing willingness to inconvenience yourself
- Endure tests of your sincerity without showing irritation
- Publicly acknowledge their worth before peers and subordinates
- Give them positions of honor at gatherings
Key Principles
- Never let wealth or status create distance from talented individuals
- Accept apparent rudeness or tests as opportunities to prove sincerity
- Let others witness your respectful treatment of the individual
Expected Outcomes
- Loyalty and dedication from recruited talent
- Enhanced reputation that attracts more capable individuals
- Access to skills and knowledge otherwise unavailable
Verification
- Confirm that personal, direct engagement (not delegation) was used in the approach to the individual.
- Validate that public demonstrations of respect were witnessed by peers and subordinates.
- Check that the recruited individual has expressed genuine commitment rather than mere compliance.
