What Does a Purple Unicorn Mean & Signify

Duration: 5-6 minutes

What is a Purple Unicorn?

According to those in the recruitment field, a ""purple unicorn"" for the workplace means finding that perfect, once-in-a-lifetime worker who can deliver exactly the skills needed, which may very well be quite rare to come across. Similar to how a purple unicorn would seem fictional or that one-of-a-kind, by the same token, employees often use this description to define how really hard it is to find that perfect candidate.

Pros of Purple Unicorn

• Idea Generator: They almost seem to churn out ideas and cool and different ways to think to make the job interesting.
• Team Cheerleader: A purple unicorn is a cheerleader for the team; they really pump up their colleagues to give their best shot. They make the team better.
• Winning Advantage: Companies with purple unicorns are better than others. The special skill they bring helps the company to create exceptional products or services.
• Troubleshooters: They are like superheroes at fixing tricky problems that others find tough.
• Team Play Pro: When they politely convey their notions to the rest of the team members, and meanwhile, they work smoothly with them, it feels like playing a top-notch game for a team.

Purple Unicorn Cons

• High Expectations and Pressure: The fact that a purple unicorn is perceived as something special adds pressure to perform best at all times, which might lead to burnout.
• Difficult to Get: Finding such unique qualities can be quite difficult and time-consuming, which can delay projects or hiring processes.
• Team Dynamics: A purple unicorn might overshadow other team members or create competition. Teams could also become overly dependent on them, causing issues if they are absent.
• Costly: Hiring and retaining a purple unicorn often comes with high salary expectations, which can strain the company’s budget.

How to Cultivate Purple Unicorns in the Workspace

• Give employees opportunities for new challenges to explore and discover their potential.
• Pair eager learners with more experienced team members for better growth.
• Provide access to gym facilities or mental health support to ensure employee well-being.
• Encourage open expression without turning it into conflict. Allow flexible or part-time work arrangements to maintain a work-life balance.

Why Should You Target Purple Unicorns When Recruiting?

You can never go wrong when you hire a purple unicorn for your business for these reasons:

• Tech-savvy: They bring innovative concepts and perspectives to foster problem-solving and push boundaries in the workplace.
• Adaptability: They can adjust to different workplace environments and maximize their benefits.
• Competitiveness: They foster a competitive spirit that can differentiate the business in the market.
• Continuous Improvement: They instill a mindset of always getting better and reaching their full potential.

Thus, hiring purple unicorns is a strategic move that brings problem-solving skills, influence, and a positive attitude to your team, significantly benefiting the company.

The 5 S''s to Activate Purple Unicorns

By focusing on these ""5 S''s"" – strategic alignment, skill development, supportive culture, strategic recruitment, and sustainable retention – the organization can create an environment that attracts and grows purple unicorns, ensuring their continued success within the organization.

Conclusion

Overall, purple unicorns are rare individuals with exceptional talent who bring unique ideas and enhance team performance, giving the company a competitive edge. However, managing them comes with its own set of challenges, such as high expectations and potential team dynamics issues.

To overcome these challenges, foster a positive environment, allow open communication, offer learning opportunities, and create a supportive atmosphere. Embracing diversity and supporting special talents will contribute to the growth and success of your team.

Therefore, being flexible in how we source and retain these exceptional individuals is crucial in the fast-paced and competitive work world.