WTA Chair & CEO STACEY ALLASTER discussed her career with Adam Bryant as part of the N.Y. TIMES' "Corner Office" feature. Reflecting on the development of her management style, Allaster said, "I think I’m more self-aware. So if we’ve gone off track for some reason, the first place I’ll start is: Did I not set a clear direction? Was I asking too much of the team or the individual? So I’m much more aware now of looking there first, versus immediately going to, 'they didn’t deliver.'" The following is a portion of the Q&A:
Q: Let's talk about hiring. How do you do it?
Allaster: I immediately get the buy-in first from my team on whoever’s going to join our team. I think that’s critical. I just want them to feel that they are part of the decision-making process. My role is then to make sure they’re motivated, they’re dynamic, and that their personality will mesh with our team. ... I'm looking for confidence, but with humility.
Q: If you could ask people only one or two questions to decide whether you’d hire them, what would those questions be?
Allaster: Why should I hire you? How are you going to help our organization, what are you going to add? I constantly have people say to me, "I love tennis and I want to be in sports marketing." I'll say, "So what? What are you going to do for us? Are you going to make us money? Are you going to save us money? Are you going to make us look good?" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/24).
