Find good people and set them free
- Sep 30, 2008
You will find the 'Virgin type' of person all over the world. I bump into them frequently in bars, cafes, hotels and small businesses, in libraries, post offices, in hospitals, at the jetty in the Caribbean, even in government offices and the civil service. Virgin types pop up everywhere, and in every nation. These people don't know they're special, but they are; they are out there, and you can spot them. If you're in charge of a company, or a human resources department (I hate this description – I call them 'people' departments!), you should be searching for them, too. These people, by their nature and their outlook on life, enjoy working with people. They're attentive. They smile freely. They're often lively, and fun to be with. I don't underestimate qualifications – I just don't assume they're going to tell me anything about a person's character. Having savvy is much more important than having a formal education. The things you learn can only complement who you are – and in my book, who you are counts for a whole lot.
Across the whole Virgin Group, we encourage people to take ownership of the issues that they confront in their working lives. In a service-led industry especially, this kind of attitude pays huge dividends. I think if people are properly and regularly recognised for their initiative, then the business has to flourish. Why? Because it's their business; an extension of their personality. They have a stake in its success.
