How To Split An Atom - Latest Comments in Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Paul May — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:42:56 -0000

Nice post. I agree with the premise that intelligence is necessary, but insufficient. In my experience, the best predictor of success in a startup role is drive and passion. Because you have no time to waste, you need people who are naturally curious and love to go figure new things out.

As far as finding people who follow instructions, are open to criticism, etc...people need to meet a minimum bar in these areas, but by nature, the most driven, passionate, curious people have a bit of a natural pain-in-the-*** bent to them. When someone is really good, they typically know it, and they expect a lot from you as a result. What I've experienced is that you often end up with a choice -- you can go with the person who just gets things done but pushes you hard (always wants more responsibility, pushes back on decisions, etc.) or you can go with the person who's as pleasant as the day is long, but needs to be walked through every task...IMO, it's not really that tough of a choice.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Valerie — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:07:20 -0000

I agree with you. You should not only hire smart people but also people who are open to new ideas, suggestions and constructive criticisms. You should hire people who not only follow instructions but also people who suggest something for the good of the company.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

iwc replica watch — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:33:34 -0000

Yeah now i found what my boss has read that has made him doing so amazing things these days. But he has read only what he wanted to read. And not the actual sense of the post.

Thanks but no thanks for sharing ;-(

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Rieth — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:00:04 -0000

i totally agree with you, what if the one you hired will be the one who will soon replace you, that's an awful situation.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Nova Home Specialist — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:10:50 -0000

It's funny... when I used to be an employee, some recruiters or employers will tell me that what they're looking for is someone who thinks outside of the box! And I think to my self, yo, you all are in the box! This is the box. The only person who thinks outside the box is the one one who owns this company. Everyone else is in this box. I would be very scared hiring someone who thinks outside of the box in my company as they may take over my company.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Xmas Vacation Rental Ajijic — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:14:05 -0000

I agree that you shouldn't fall in love with a resume.

I would also add, hire someone with a track record for getting things done.

There are a lot of smart people that are stuck in neutral.

Joel

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Bijan Akhavan — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:47:31 -0000

There are lots of different role players on a team. The right hire is all about fit. Fit with the job at hand, fit with the supervisor, fit with the team and fit with the organization.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

horse racing results — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:26:57 -0000

I agree of what you are telling about, because you could have an argument with the smartest guy that your suggestion will not be respected because they believe that they are smart as you are.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

engedi05 — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:10:14 -0000

Very aspiring !! I believe in choosing the right man, we should not only analyse their IQ, but as well their EQ, then everything will go really smooth.. well, easy to say, hard to do.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Jenna — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:50:31 -0000

It is so hard to find the right person especially if there are so few choices. Usually the best person is someone in that large stack of resumes. It is hard to truly know how someone will perform until after you hire them on, no matter how many references they give.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

wilson — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:20:28 -0000

I share your opinion here, Steve.

Hiring the smartest guy isn't an easy task, as you need to consider many other factors as well...

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Penisverlaengerung — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:30:30 -0000

Well!!!! I really hope a lot of human resources managers or a lot of directors must read this article! I am totally agree with what you say, a lot of people think that the best person is the one with the largest resume, having experience is not related with success or with doing things going better, sometimes you can hire the one you thing is the best because of his/her experience and when you really know him, you really think about what you let go... the other one with a one-page resume without experience in the field but with acknowledgment hunger.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

DanGTD — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:25:01 -0000

Great article.
Indeed, the passion for your product is the most important thing you should look for.

See Guy Kawasaki as an example. He never worked in IT before being hired by Apple. He worked in the diamond industry. But he was an apple Fanatic and still is.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Web talk — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:44:12 -0000

i would prefer to hire people who are less smarter than me. That's because if i am a boss it is not by chance... i am supposed to be smarter.Because of this i would only look for people who can execute my orders right away and without arguing. maybe i would just choose a guy as smart as me.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

sbspalding — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:40:29 -0000

HA! Well said. :)

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

sbspalding — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:40:06 -0000

I think for most startup jobs brains are going to be required, but I see what you're saying Role has a lot to do with determining the scope of qualifications required.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

sbspalding — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:39:16 -0000

I couldn't agree more. Especially with economies reducing our overall ability to hire, it becomes even more important to have a holistic view of who we are taking own. Razzle-dazzle is great, but depth is what spurs real growth. Thanks for commenting!

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

sbspalding — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:37:53 -0000

I like that. What do you think the difference is?

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

sbspalding — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:37:27 -0000

I completely agree with the "knows how to accept criticism part" You don't want someone who just knows a lot, you want someone who wants to know more.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Babies R Us Coupons — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:44:11 -0000

I guess my Boss knows this fact well before you wrote but he has committed a mistake while he selected me... And now he is cursing himself. Saying never hire the smartest guy.. ha ha ha

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Nanomedicine — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:21:51 -0000

I think that picking a worker depends on the position they're gonna be working on. Sometimes brains aren't required. It's all individual...

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Tim Brennan — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:07:53 -0000

Great argument. There are lots of different role players on a team. The right hire is all about fit. Fit with the job at hand, fit with the supervisor, fit with the team and fit with the organization. What matters most? All of it.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Dean Fragnito — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:50:13 -0000

I disagree with hiring a perfectionist. Startups have no time for perfection, it is unattainable. Strive for remarkable.

Re: Don’t Hire The Smartest Guy

Shopping Cart Template — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:18:55 -0000

Great post. I love reading it.

I would like to add one: You should hire people who are smart and perfectionist but at the same time knows how to accept criticisms