Look For Agnostics, Not Atheists

Photo by Robert Anasch on Unsplash

There’s a golden rule that applies in all aspects of our professional lives:

Look for agnostics, not atheists.*

An atheist is someone who is convinced that there is no God, while an agnostic is someone who neither believes nor disbelieves that God exists.

That’s a meaningful difference in perspective. 

With the atheist, you have no chance - their mind is already made up. You can come up with reasoned arguments that are analytically rich and evidence-based, but it won’t matter. Their world view is oriented in a specific direction and anything you say to them is the verbal equivalent of banging your head against a wall.

With the agnostic, though, there’s the possibility of change. They haven’t made up their minds but are open to the idea. They might lean in one direction or another, but the possibility absolutely exists. (Which reminds me of the immortal words of Jim Carrey in the movie Dumb And Dumber: “So, you’re telling me there’s a chance!”)

This distinction is relevant in the major decisions we make at work.

When hiring people, look for those who are open to the idea (and the vision) that your business represents. Wasting your time on those who are jaded by the idea of change and progress isn’t a cost worth bearing. They will breed indifference, toxicity and ultimately irrelevance. Wean out the atheists before you hire them, ideally.

When qualifying prospects, qualify to exclude the atheists. Those who don’t believe in the capability or solution you offer. People who believe they can do it themselves. Those who are driven more by risk avoidance than by the possibilities of change. There’s a cultivated stasis in their behavior and the driver isn’t logic or rational judgment, it’s personal survival and political maneuvering. 

When looking for champions of a change initiative in the company, or when trying to get alignment around a new supplier, or, well, you get the idea.

I appreciate there is a challenge to the atheist, as well as a sense of opportunity. If I can only convince him with my sound logic…but the fact of the matter is 9.9 times out of 10, you won’t get anywhere with them. And the 0.1 times that you might simply isn’t worth the risk, effort or cost. Don’t waste your time.

Focus on bringing along those open to change, who have the right, open mindset and who are willing to better themselves. 

Look for the agnostics. The value for effort tradeoff is worth it. 

*Hat Tip to Guy Kawasaki for this idea.