If They Cheat at Golf, They'll Cheat at Work
Zig Ziglar's boss made a costly mistake: He hired first, then tested.
After the new salesperson was already on payroll, the boss asked Zig to play golf with him for approval.
Zig's verdict? "He won't last.
His boss asked why. Zig’s reply started with, “He cheats at golf.”
He was right. The guy failed - wasting time, money, and team morale.
The lesson? Always scrimmage BEFORE you hire.
A scrimmage puts candidates in real or simulated work conditions so you can observe their behavior, skills, and character under pressure.
For Zig, it was golf. For you, it might be:
A salesperson pitching your product.
A developer solving a real coding problem.
A manager leading a team exercise.
Done right, scrimmages are effective, fair, and legally sound—and they reveal what interviews can't.
We make scrimmages mandatory for our clients - along with background checks. These are the only two non-negotiables in Hire the Best. (We also strongly recommend Manage 2 Win Talent Assessments before start date.)
Why? Because hundreds of hires have proven that scrimmages replace assumptions with facts. You see how candidates work with your team, handle pressure, and deliver quality - before you commit.
Interviews tell you what people say. Scrimmages show you what they do.
Hire the Best coaching teaches you how to design effective scrimmages for any role.
What would a scrimmage look like for your next hire?
