Deryl McKissack wants her team at her multimillion-dollar firm to be ‘hungry, humble, and smart.’
Before Deryl McKissack hires someone new, she ensures they fit the company’s mantra: humble, hungry, and smart.
Deryl McKissack, founder and CEO of the construction management and design firm McKissack & McKissack, prioritizes hiring trustworthy team players who can uphold her firm’s mission.
The 63-year-old entrepreneur runs her Washington D.C.-based business based on three principles: hungry, humble, and smart. She shared on LinkedIn that this mantra, inspired by Patrick Lencioni’s book “The Ideal Team Player,” is crucial for developing a dedicated team committed to the company’s mission.
McKissack & McKissack focuses on growth, diversity, and innovation. The CEO emphasizes that her employees must have “an insatiable appetite for success” and constantly seek new opportunities. Her multimillion-dollar empire includes iconic projects like the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Naturally, during hiring seasons, she looks for adaptable, flexible, and agile employees.
“Humility drives us to make decisions for the collective good, removing any and all ego from our process,” she stated.
Deryl McKissack told CNBC that extending her firm’s mission beyond physical work to focus on the “betterment of mankind” led to significant changes. At McKissack & McKissack, employees are expected to foster a team-oriented environment. A person who doesn’t work well with others is a major red flag for her. The personalities of her employees are crucial in preventing conflicts and ensuring clients are comfortable. “If I don’t want to be in their presence, then no one wants to be in their presence,” she said.
Her own personality reflects the warm and inviting characteristics she expects from her team. Last year, she introduced #ThreeQuestionsWithDeryl on Instagram, a fun and informative Q&A session where she addressed questions about the company and discussed suggested topics. This allowed her to connect with industry peers and the community on a more personal level.
Individuals who embody the qualities of the McKissack & McKissack mantra reassure the CEO that they will maintain the emotional intelligence crucial for the company’s success. She expects managers to have integrity, give proper credit to their team members, and acknowledge the value others bring to their success. “…That inability to appreciate other people’s contributions is…anti-collaborative,” the CEO said.
