I’ve spent a large part of my career hiring, managing, and leading teams. Someone recently asked me: “What three behaviours or capabilities do you look for in a hire or a team member?”

The answer is pretty straight forward.

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1. Commercial Awareness

First, I look for commercial awareness. Candidates should understand:

  • Why a company exists
  • How it operates
  • Why it needs to make money

They need to see how their role contributes to the bigger picture. The goal isn’t to reshape the business for personal preference but to keep it thriving while creating a positive workplace. Without revenue, nothing else matters.

👉 One of my core behaviours of effective employees is the need to get company smart, right from the start.

2. Communication Skills

Second, effective communication is critical. Someone can be technically brilliant, but if they struggle to listen, articulate ideas, or navigate diverse communication styles, they can create more problems than they solve.

I often say: 99% of business problems come from poor communication. Hiring someone who can’t communicate effectively is a recipe for trouble.

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3. Experience (Not Just Job Experience)

Third, and most important: experience.

Now, some might say, “What about recent graduates or those with few years on the job?” I’m not talking about years of work; I’m talking about life experiences.

Everyone has experiences. Some of us just have more — and richer — ones than others.

Think beyond hard and soft skills. Look at what shapes someone as a person:

  • Traveling
  • Starting and failing at a business
  • Volunteering
  • Raising kids
  • Working across industries
  • Speaking at conferences
  • Learning from personal setbacks

These are experiences — and they matter. They broaden perspectives, build empathy, and teach skills that are often transferable to the workplace.

Why Experiences Matter

Experience grows your mind, body, and spirit. It:

  • Enhances cultural awareness
  • Improves communication and observation skills
  • Strengthens leadership and teamwork
  • Provides lessons from failure
  • Builds transferable skills like commercial awareness and problem-solving

People who actively seek experiences are curious, adaptable, and creative. They see problems differently and often bring fresh, unique solutions to the table.

Hiring for the Person, Not the Position

When I hire, I hire for the person, not just the role. Competency matters, but varied experiences and a willingness to learn matter more.

A person who has traveled, started a business, volunteered, or engaged in diverse projects is often more insightful, empathetic, and resourceful than someone who has spent ten years repeating the same tasks.

The Takeaway

Experience comes from having experiences.

Don’t underestimate experiences outside of work — they are valuable, transferable, and in demand. They shape perspective, fuel creativity, and teach lessons that no classroom or job title can provide.

Hire people for the experiences they bring, and you’ll cultivate a team that’s adaptable, thoughtful, and capable of seeing the bigger picture.

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