Hire for Personality, Not Background

When hiring, especially for sales roles, personality is a far more accurate predictor of success than background, age, or experience.

The Flaw in Traditional Hiring

Traditional hiring practices often focus on:

Years of Experience: This can be misleading, as someone can have ten years of experience but be mediocre at their job.
Industry Background: While industry knowledge can be helpful, it can also be taught. The right personality traits are much harder to develop.
Age: Age is not a reliable indicator of performance. A young, hungry individual with the right personality can often outperform a seasoned veteran.

Innate Traits: The core personality traits of a superstar, such as high dominance and high influence (see What Makes a Superstar), are largely innate.
Untapped Potential: You can often find superstars in unexpected places, such as retail or other industries, who have the right personality but have not yet been given the opportunity to shine.
Trainable Skills: Skills and knowledge can be taught, but personality is much more difficult to change.

By focusing on personality, you can uncover hidden gems and build a team of true superstars.