Character Trumps Content

Photo by TheStandingDesk on Unsplash

Character trumps content. Always.

If I have to choose between two individuals - one fully versed in their line of work but untrustworthy, and the other who is less than well versed but trustworthy, I’ll go with the latter person every single time.

I appreciate that it’s tempting to take the content rich individual - the person whose ideas resonate and whose point of view seems to make sense. You get a strong sense of competence, and that they will be able to deliver your agenda. I get that.

But if their character isn’t on par, if there’s something about how they act that doesn’t sit right, trust your instincts. Every. Single. Time.

Because the ultimate cost of this type of bad hire is significant. It isn’t only in the recruitment and the training, it’s in the cost to your team, measured in morale, cohesion and alignment. It simply isn’t worth it. 

Because you can always train an individual who is less content-savvy, but you can never train for values.