Why to Hire a Lazy Person?

Qualification, technical ability, personality- all of these factors are often number one on the recruitment check list. But is that all? What if the person in lazy? Should you hire someone who is lazy?

Here is a scenario. You are in the process of recruiting one individual for a position. On the basis of technical ability, knowledge base, communication skills and basic appeal, you have narrowed down to two prospective employees. One of the two claims to be extremely hard working. He says that he takes passionate interest in business and he would love to learn more and more from the company. He says that he is capable of putting in late hours if required, and is extremely attentive to detail.

The second prospect says that he believes in getting work done. You come to realize that the second prospect is fairly lazy other than “getting the work done.”

Whom would you select to be a part of your team?

What if I were to say that you should go for the seemingly lazy guy? Would you?

Here are a few reasons why you should hire a lazy person.

Better Mood: Due to their extremely selective nature, lazy people tend to be in a better mood most of the time. Also, it is simpler and easier for them to be happy than to stress out. Having a lazy person in your team could help keep the general spirits of the team high.

Not Political: Lazy people don’t care about power. It is too much work for them. Having a lazy person on your team will ensure that at least one person on the team is not going to try and divide people or manipulate anyone for a personal gain. In all reality, lazy people have just one personal gain “to have nothing to do” after getting done with the work assigned to them.

Quick at work: Despite the notions that are kept in mind about lazy people, the fact remains, that lazy people are quicker at work than “hard working” people. This is because they have so efficiently trained their minds to finish things fast that they would use all resources and applications to complete the task in the best possible way, and in the shortest possible time. The lazy employee will be the one to help find the most efficient method of working on any project.

No Nonsense: As long as you are giving the employee his dues, a lazy employee will pretty much stick within his limits and “mind his business”. It is not in the nature of a lazy person to bother about others or go around poking their noses into other people’s businesses. In fact, he will not even entertain talks of groups and uprisings if brought up. Too much work for them.

Driven in Disguise: Once again, breaking a popular notion, lazy people are extremely driven individuals. Their drive may not be visible in the same way as that of a “hard working” employee, but they are probably more driven to do their work than the others. You will often see a lazy person getting their work done in the most efficient and resourceful manner before it gets complicated by delays.

No Riff Raff: Hard working employees have the tendency to focus too much on the auxiliary and periphery. Due to this, they tend to waste some time and put in effort that may not necessarily be required. A lazy person will only focus on that which is necessary and put all effort into it. Beyond that, they deal with all peripheries as “another case all together”.

Loyal and Honest: Dishonesty and treason take up a lot of energy, thinking, and covering up and over all work. Do you really think that a lazy person will get involved in these activities? It is much easier for a lazy person to say the truth and be loyal. As such, if you handle them right, a lazy employee will actually be the one employee on your team you could completely bank on.

Have you ever worked with a lazy person whose productivity impacted your performance? Please share your views.