Hiring from your network / past workplace is one of the best methods to hire the most relevant folks.
You would be able to easily picture the fitment both ways – a) who from my past can fit the role really well and b) will this person really enjoy this role and the environment. Role fitment can be easily determined in minutes even before having multiple rounds of interviews.
If someone is willing to follow you, it is a testimonial that you have been a good leader and probably a people magnet.
In fact, Senior executives are headhunted because they would be able to quickly attract the people from their network and build the right team.
It is not uncommon that someone in your company teases you saying – ‘you are bringing your folks here!.’ You can simply ignore them – He/she has not yet grown the mindset required for senior management.
Once caveat here is that you need to ensure that folks in your team who were outside of your network earlier don’t feel left out.
While no-poaching agreement (if any) between you and your past employer is not legally tenable, you may still want to consider the impact on your relationship with them before you hire from your previous team(s)
Credits: Srinath Rajaram and Gaurav Chattur for their contribution to the post