Hiring the right person for the job is more than just finding someone with the right skills—it’s about finding someone who fits within your team’s dynamic and the company culture. But how do you figure out if a candidate will mesh well with the team before you hire them? One unique method to help gauge a potential hire’s personality and workplace behavior is by using The Smalley Institute’s Animal Personalities model.
In this model, there are four primary “animal” personality types: Lion, Otter, Golden Retriever, and Beaver. Each type represents different approaches to work, communication, and decision-making, and understanding these traits can help you determine if a candidate is the right fit for your role and company culture.
Let’s dive into how you can use these animal personality types in your interviews, with sample questions and the expected responses based on each personality type.
What Are the Animal Personalities?
Here’s a quick overview of the four personality types:
- Lion – Assertive, goal-driven, and confident. Lions are natural leaders who love challenges and are often seen as competitive and direct.
- Otter – Fun-loving, enthusiastic, and sociable. Otters are creative, energetic, and thrive in collaborative, dynamic environments.
- Golden Retriever – Loyal, empathetic, and supportive. Golden Retrievers are great team players, focused on maintaining harmony and helping others.
- Beaver – Detail-oriented, analytical, and perfectionistic. Beavers are methodical, organized, and appreciate structure, rules, and high standards.
Now, let’s explore how to integrate these animal personalities into your hiring process. By using these archetypes, you can better understand a candidate’s natural tendencies and figure out if they’re a good fit for your company and team dynamics.
Step 1: Understand the Job and Team Needs
Before you start asking interview questions, think about the role you’re hiring for and the team dynamics. For example:
- Lion personalities might excel in leadership roles or sales positions where quick decision-making and assertiveness are valued.
- Otter personalities might be ideal for creative, collaborative roles like marketing, event planning, or public relations.
- Golden Retrievers are a good fit for customer service, human resources, or any role that requires empathy and building strong relationships.
- Beavers shine in roles that require precision, organization, and attention to detail, like accounting, project management, or quality control.
Step 2: Tailor Interview Questions to Identify Animal Personality Types
During the interview, ask questions that help you understand how a candidate approaches their work, handles stress, or works with others. Below are sample questions for each personality type, along with the types of responses you might expect.
For Lions: Assertiveness and Leadership
- Question: “Tell me about a time you had to lead a project or team. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?”
- Expected Response: Lions will likely talk about setting clear goals, taking charge, and making quick decisions. They’ll emphasize results and might mention that they took control in challenging situations. They might use terms like “I took the lead” or “I made sure we hit the target.”
- Why It Works: This question reveals whether the candidate has the leadership qualities of a Lion. If they talk about overcoming obstacles in a direct, results-focused way, they’re likely a good fit for a role that requires strong leadership.
For Otters: Creativity and Teamwork
- Question: “How do you typically handle brainstorming sessions or creative projects? What’s your approach to working with a team in these situations?”
- Expected Response: Otters will often highlight their enthusiasm for collaboration and creativity. They might describe brainstorming sessions as fun and energizing, mentioning how they thrive on bouncing ideas off others and bringing fresh perspectives.
- Why It Works: This question assesses whether the candidate is comfortable in collaborative, dynamic environments—ideal for a job where team spirit and creativity are key.
For Golden Retrievers: Empathy and Support
- Question: “Describe a time when you had to help a colleague or customer through a difficult situation. How did you approach it?”
- Expected Response: Golden Retrievers will likely talk about their ability to empathize and listen. They’ll highlight their commitment to maintaining harmony and supporting others, focusing on how they provided a steady presence or practical help.
- Why It Works: Golden Retrievers thrive in roles where emotional intelligence and support are key. If a candidate’s response is all about building trust and helping others feel heard, they might be a great addition to a customer-facing or team-oriented role.
For Beavers: Attention to Detail and Organization
- Question: “Can you describe a project where you had to pay close attention to details or meet very specific standards? How did you ensure everything was correct?”
- Expected Response: Beavers will focus on precision and process. They’ll likely talk about organizing their work, double-checking details, or using systems to make sure everything was done to perfection. They might even mention how they prefer to work with clear guidelines and standards.
- Why It Works: Beavers are ideal for roles that require a methodical, detail-oriented approach. This question helps you gauge if the candidate has the diligence and focus needed for tasks that require accuracy and structure.
Step 3: Look for the Big Picture
While the individual responses to these questions are helpful, it’s also important to look for patterns in how the candidate answers and interacts with you. For example:
- A Lion might answer quickly, assertively, and focus on outcomes.
- An Otter will likely be more animated and talk about the fun or collaborative aspects of the work.
- A Golden Retriever will be empathetic, focused on people, and eager to make sure everyone’s needs are met.
- A Beaver might take more time to answer, carefully considering the details of their experience.
Step 4: Match Personality with Role Requirements
After the interview, match the candidate’s animal personality type to the specific needs of the role. For example:
- Lions excel in roles that require quick decision-making and leadership.
- Otters shine in creative or people-focused roles.
- Golden Retrievers are great for customer service or HR, where empathy and teamwork are critical.
- Beavers are the perfect fit for roles that require precision, organization, and attention to detail.
Step 5: Consider Team Dynamics
It’s not just about fitting the role—think about how this candidate will work with your existing team. Does your team already have a good mix of personalities? Are you looking to balance things out with someone who brings a different style to the table, or do you want someone who complements existing dynamics?
Final Thoughts
Using The Smalley Institute’s animal personality types in job interviews isn’t about boxing candidates into rigid categories—it’s about understanding their natural tendencies and seeing if they align with the role and company culture. By asking the right questions and listening for specific responses, you can gain valuable insight into how well a candidate will fit into your team.
Hiring is a bit like matchmaking, and when you match the right personality to the right role, everyone wins: the candidate thrives, the team thrives, and the company succeeds.