As an avid New York Yankees fan, I thought I’d compare two of my very favorite things. I’m sharing the parallels between baseball and talent recruiting and how the right fit matters, because as a talent recruiter, I believe hiring is more like baseball than many people think. 

Let’s say you manage a Major League Baseball team. Imagine taking your star pitcher off the mound and placing them at shortstop. Sure, your pitcher is talented, but are they set up to succeed in a different defensive position on the field? 

In baseball, every position has a distinct purpose. A catcher leads the game, a shortstop commands the infield, a pitcher controls the pace, first basemen anchor the defense, and outfielders protect the gaps. Every player contributes to the win. When players are in the right roles, everything clicks. And when they’re not, even the most talented team can fall apart.  

Now, let’s step off the field and into the workforce!  

Talent alone doesn’t lead to business success 

Too often, hiring decisions are driven by impressive resumes or standout interviews with job candidates. It’s like recruiting the player with the strongest arm or the fastest swing – without considering where they truly belong on the field.  

A great candidate in the wrong role doesn’t just underperform. They get frustrated, disengaged, and eventually, they leave. And suddenly, you’re back at bat in talent management, trying to fill the same position all over again.  

The takeaway: Hiring the person who presents best on paper or during an interview is not the goal. Hiring the right person for the role is what creates a hiring home run.  

Every position plays an essential role 

In baseball, teams don’t just need good players. They need the right mix of players who excel in their given roles. The same is true for your organization. Consider these scenarios, which are quite common: 

• Strategic thinkers might thrive as leaders but struggle in highly repetitive roles. 

• Detail-driven performers may shine in operations but get stuck in big-picture planning. 

• Relationship-builders can be your MVPs in client-facing roles, while being underutilized within your organization. 

Strategic thinkers, detail-driven performers, and relationship builders are all star players in team performance – if they’re placed in the right roles with responsibilities that align with their strengths. When you align a job candidate’s demonstrated strengths with the responsibilities of your role, performance is natural, not forced, and productivity soars.  

Recruit team members like a manager, not just a talent scout  

The best baseball managers don’t stop by asking, “How effective is this player?” They also need to know, “Where will this player make the biggest impact on my team?”  

That’s the progression of thinking that great companies take when hiring. Instead of focusing solely on qualifications, they consider what will build individual and team success:  

• Where on the team will this person thrive? 

• How will they complement our existing team? 

• What specific role will allow them to perform at their best?  

The championship pitch ⚾  

While there might be rare exceptions, you wouldn’t put a pitcher at shortstop, and you shouldn’t place a candidate in a role that doesn’t match their strengths.  

Because when the fit is right, everything works better:  

✔ Performance improves 
✔ Engagement rises 
✔ Retention increases  

And that’s how you build a team that doesn’t just play the game – but wins it. It’s not just about talent. It’s about championing every team member by putting them in positions where they can succeed.  

Keep an eye out for those rare exceptions 

Many sports teams and companies need versatile talent – transformational players who can simultaneously manage key roles or step in at a moment’s notice to fill a gap, while still fulfilling their core functions.  

In 1965, while with the Kansas City Athletics, Bert Campaneris became the first major league baseball player to effectively play all nine defensive positions in a single game. Only four other major leaguers have since accomplished this feat. 

Transformational business professionals break barriers because they, too, can lead from multiple positions at the same time. These rare leaders are not always executives. They can be hard to find because they’re employed and not on the job market, but a talent recruiter knows where to find these exceptional passive candidates who possess all the right skills. 

Build your all-star lineup with talent that fits like a glove 

It’s no secret that competition for talent – superior talent – is high in the field of recruiting. Today’s hiring managers need a competitive advantage in their talent management approach. You can gain that edge by locking arms with a recruiting partner who believes in your team and success! 

Connect with me today and let’s find candidates who aren’t just exceptional but perfectly positioned to succeed on your team and within your company culture. My name is Charilynn McKennedy and I am a Senior Recruiting Partner with Goodwin Recruiting, a Forbes Best Recruitment company.