Skills or Attitude: What Matters Most When Hiring for Your Startup?

I. Introduction

In the words of Simon Sinek, "The goal is not to hire people who need a job, it's to hire people who believe what you believe." But what does that mean for startups? As an entrepreneur building out your startup, should you be prioritizing skills or attitude when making hiring decisions? This article explores these two elements and their significance in startup hiring.

II. The Importance of Skills in the Startup Phase

In the initial stages of a startup, the need for specific skills cannot be overstated. Your startup is essentially an idea that needs concrete skills to bring it to life. You need developers to create your product, marketers to spread the word, salespeople to close deals, and so on.

Take the case of Stripe, the now multi-billion dollar online payment company. When founding the company, Patrick and John Collison, prioritized hiring skilled engineers who could help develop their complex payment processing system. Skills, at that juncture, were non-negotiable.

III. The Value of Attitude

While skills are vital, they are teachable. Attitude, on the other hand, is intrinsic. It encompasses aspects like work ethic, cultural fit, resilience, and passion for your startup's mission. Employees with the right attitude can learn new skills, adapt to changes, and contribute positively to the workplace environment.

Consider the case of Airbnb. In the early days, founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia focused on hiring people who were passionate about their concept of a shared economy. They believed that skills could be taught, but the right attitude was essential to drive their disruptive idea forward.

IV. The Skills vs. Attitude Debate

So, what's more important – skills or attitude?

According to Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, "The first thing to look for when searching for a great employee is somebody with a personality that fits with your company culture. Most skills can be learned, but it is difficult to train people on their personality."

However, this doesn't mean skills are irrelevant. It's about striking a balance between the two. Depending on the stage and needs of your startup, the weightage between skills and attitude may vary.

V. Transition from Skills to Attitude as Your Startup Grows

As your startup evolves, so will your hiring needs. In the early stages, you may prioritize skills. As you scale and your processes get more defined, the focus may shift to attitude. At this point, you need people who can sustain and enhance your company culture, adapt to changes, and drive your mission forward.

For instance, Google in its early days was renowned for its rigorous hiring processes with a strong emphasis on the skillset and educational background. As it grew, its hiring strategy evolved to focus more on aspects such as leadership, cognitive ability, and cultural fit.

VI. Conclusion

In conclusion, both skills and attitude play a crucial role in hiring for your startup. While skills are vital in the early stages to get your startup off the ground, attitude becomes increasingly significant as you scale and grow.

As you navigate your entrepreneurial journey, remember the words of Herb Kelleher, co-founder of Southwest Airlines: "Hire for attitude, train for skill."