VanderUnicorn Spotlight: Charisma Gutierrez Prepares

With over 30,000 interviews to our name, Vanderbloemen has mastered the art of identifying the best. It comes down to 12 data-driven traits that set the greatest workers apart as “Unicorns.” These traits are covered in-depth in William Vanderbloemen’s new book Be the Unicorn. 

But even the best of the best aren’t expected to master all 12 traits simultaneously. Excellence in just one of these traits can qualify a candidate for a vital role on your team. We believe each member of our team of experts exemplifies these traits in various ways, and we’ve chosen one person to highlight how each trait translates in the workplace.

Meet our Prepared VanderUnicorn, Charisma Gutierrez

One star quality that can distinguish an employee as the best of the best is their ability to be prepared. Be the Unicorn explains that those who are Prepared have a leg up in the field. Being prepared comes down to someone’s ability to do their homework before it’s due. This quality seems to attract luck and success.

One of Vanderbloemen’s most prepared employees is our Senior Search Support Coordinator Charisma Gutierrez. Being prepared is part of how Charisma thinks. 

“My brain likes to come up with scenarios that could possibly come up,” Charisma says. “Immediately, I have to write it down somewhere so that I won’t forget the next day.”

She has made a habit of preparing for the unlikely. She knows people depend on her, and it’s a heavy responsibility.

“I don’t like to be the reason why they couldn’t get it done,” Charisma says. “I know those things are valuable. So I try to take on that mentality. If it’s important to them, then it should be for me as well.”

Learning the art of preparedness 

Charisma wasn’t always this way. Like many great Prepared Unicorns, she learned the hard way.

“In my past jobs, I remember there were times when I wasn’t always prepared,” She says. “I felt like I was constantly putting out fires everywhere.”

The good news is that it can be learned. Set time aside to write down what went wrong and what you can improve on. When it’s time to get to work again, pull those notes out and do something different for the next project.

“And then I’d repeat the process all over again,” Charisma says. “Over time it became second nature for me to think ten steps ahead.”

Charisma transformed into someone who is easily trusted in all circles of her life. People feel comfortable seeking her input because she sees what they forget. She’s trusted with planning ambitious projects. She’s gained opportunities to lead church events, meet pastors, and much more.

“I guess there are some perks with always being the prepared friend and coworker,” Charisma remarks.

With all the added benefits and surprises along the way, one benefit comes immediately. That frantic feeling of letting people down or scrambling to start the day is alleviated.

“To me, it’s the most effective way of working,” Charisma says. “In a lot of ways, it feels like I’m making my life easier.”

Find your unicorn

We’re so blessed to have unicorns on our team like Charisma, and we want to equip your team with candidates just like her. To start the search for your own top talent, get in touch today.

To learn more about the 12 traits the best employees share, order Be the Unicorn for yourself, a friend, or even your whole team. Buying in bulk can save you up to 47% off the cover price, plus it comes with bonus content and other extra perks. 

Finally, if you’d like to assess the strengths of your own team, check out the Vander Index, our new tool that's a companion to Be the Unicorn, based on our years of data collection and experience.