The Power of Hiring for Attitude Over Experience

In the lush forests of Thailand, there's a peculiar plant called the "Queen of the Night." It blooms only once a year, at night, and its flowers wilt by morning. Yet, its fleeting beauty is renowned worldwide. This plant doesn't have the constant, vibrant bloom of a rose or the height of an oak tree, but it brings something unique to the table.

In the business world, we often place a premium on experience. We seek out the roses and oak trees of the candidate pool—those with an impressive array of skills and years of experience. But what if we started looking for the "Queen of the Night" candidates instead? Those with the right attitude, who might not have all the experience but have the potential to bloom spectacularly in the right environment?

Hiring for attitude over experience is not about lowering standards or settling for less. It's about recognizing that while skills can be taught, attitude cannot. It's about looking beyond the resume and seeing the person— their values, their mindset, their potential.

Consider Richard Branson's Virgin Group, a company known for its culture of innovation and customer service. Branson has stated, "The first thing we look for when hiring new staff is personality. In our experience, most skills can be learned, but it is difficult to train people on their personality."

Hiring for attitude doesn't mean ignoring experience entirely. It's about creating a balance. It's about finding those who not only have the necessary skills but also have the right mindset to thrive in your company culture. These are the people who will stick with you during tough times, who will go the extra mile, who will grow and learn and drive your business forward.

It's not always easy to spot the "Queen of the Night" candidates. They might not stand out in a pile of resumes. But once you find them and give them the right environment to grow, they'll bloom in ways you might never have expected.

So, as you sift through resumes and conduct interviews, consider looking beyond the bullet points of experience and skills. Look for the spark, the attitude, the potential. Because hiring for attitude might just be the key to building a team that is not just competent, but truly exceptional.

As you shape the future of your business, remember the Queen of the Night. Seek out those unique, passionate individuals who may not bloom all year round, but when they do, it's truly spectacular. Because, in the end, isn't that what we all strive for in our teams – the spectacular, not the commonplace?