What we can learn from Lorne Michael's hiring practices

Regardless of how you might feel about Saturday Night Live, it is pretty amazing to think that it has been on the air for 40 years.  In some regards they have had to continue to adapt and evolve over time to cater to the needs of a changing audience.  While in other regards they have done the exact same thing for those 40 years and it is a magic formula that continues to work year after year.

What exactly is it that provides that kind of staying power?  I think a lot of it comes straight from the top with Lorne Michael and his hiring practices.

First of all, he is not afraid to look back and regret NOT hiring some pretty amazing people.  Oftentimes employers move on from a candidate after an interview as if they had no ability to contribute to their organization.  I have had clients get a second opportunity to hire someone after some success and a select few are willing to do so.  Far too often, however, if they passed the first time they will pass the second time.  You will never get them all right, but some honest self-reflection on candidates you missed out on can help the hiring process going forward.

Secondly, he doesn't laugh during interviews.  Which if you think about the thousands of auditions he has seen makes you wonder if he let out the occasional chuckle.  He wanted to see how the comedians would push through the awkward silence.  Far too often I see employers gush over a candidate, promise them way too much, and then after some true careful consideration they pass on the candidate.  It is confusing, disappointing, and frustrating for the candidate when they receive so much affirmation during the interview, only to get shot down afterward.  There is nothing wrong with letting people know the truth at the conclusion of an interview.  Let the candidate know exactly where things stand without the promise of next steps that might not be fulfilled.

Next, he often gave second chances.  Whether it be another audition or an invite back in a following year, he kept audition tapes and was never afraid to look at them again.  As I mentioned in my first point he did regret not hiring a few key people.  He learned from that mistake and tried to always keep an open mind.

He also fought through some objections.  Jim Carrey was interviewed last night during the pre-show, and the question was asked if he knew of someone who tried to kibosh his hiring in the early 80s.  He didn't go into a lot of detail, but it sure seemed like there was someone that did not want him to be hired.  Lorne was not afraid to bring him in to host even though he was not selected as a cast member.

Additionally, Lorne knew he had to hire gifted writers and let them do their thing.  There are many stories about changing things at the last minute with scripts or skits.  He knew he had hired capable people and although he was incredibly organized and wanted lots of rehearsal time, he could also let go and allow those writers to shoot from the hip.  He knew that was exactly why he had hired them.

Lastly, he was not afraid to do what it took in a pinch.  Martin Short said that he didn't even interview for his spot on the cast.  In the mid 80s they simply needed a spark with some big names and Lorne signed several to a one-year contract.  They did so many amazing sketches that it seems like they were on for more than one season, but they weren't.

I would love to talk to Lorne some day and ask him who he thinks he best hire ever was.  Think he could narrow it down to only one person?