Hire entry-level people who can run the department within two years

Executive overview

Fast-growing companies constantly need to promote from within. If entry-level hires lack leadership potential, promotions create gaps that can't be filled from within — forcing expensive external hires.

Ask one extra question before every hire: could this person run the division within 24 months? Skill fit for the current role is necessary but not sufficient.

Only hire people who could eventually run the department you're hiring them into.

The 24-month leadership test

• Beyond basic job fit, assess whether the candidate thinks strategically and leads people
• Growth creates vacancies fast — assistants often become the natural internal replacement
• If they lack leadership capacity, that internal pipeline breaks down
• Don't tell candidates they'll be a manager in two years — avoid setting that expectation
• Hiring from within is cheaper and better for customer continuity when the time comes