Why Hiring for Character Beats Skills Every Time: The Secret Sauce of Good Leadership

In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, the pressure to hire candidates with the perfect skill set can overshadow a more fundamental consideration: character. Anthony Tjan’s book Good People reveals that the most impactful leadership decision is to prioritize character over skills. Why? Because skills can be taught and updated, but character shapes how people treat others, handle adversity, and contribute to culture.

Consider the remarkable example of WD-40, a company known not only for its iconic product but for its extraordinary people culture. Their retention rate is three times the national average, with 97% of employees proudly sharing where they work. This success is no accident — it stems from a leadership philosophy that puts people first, emphasizing mentorship, trust, and belonging.

Hiring for character means looking beyond resumes and credentials to assess qualities like humility, empathy, and integrity. It requires leaders to be aware of biases such as favoring familiar backgrounds or overvaluing titles. Using structured questions that probe authenticity, energy, and multidimensionality helps uncover the true goodness in candidates.

Mentorship is the natural extension of this approach. It is a two-way street where both mentor and mentee grow, share wisdom, and build meaningful connections. Mentors serve as champions, copilots, anchors, and reverse mentors, adapting to the needs of those they guide. These relationships cultivate resilience and optimism, key ingredients for thriving teams.

Ultimately, hiring for character creates a virtuous cycle. It builds cultures of trust and engagement, fuels innovation, and fosters personal fulfillment. Leaders who embrace this mindset lead with heart, inspiring others to do the same.

By shifting our hiring lens from skills alone to character first, we unlock the true potential of people and organizations. This fundamental insight transforms leadership from a transactional role into a lifelong journey of goodness and impact.