How to Hire a Mediocre Employee

4 Apr 2024 · 1 min

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In this brief monologue, the speaker recounts a request from a close friend to help find a job for the friend's son. While the speaker could easily make introductions, they refuse to vouch for the young man because, despite being well‑mannered, he lacks interest in hard work and learning. The speaker emphasizes the belief that attitude and a genuine care for one’s craft are essential when bringing anyone into a company—whether as an employee or contractor—because skills can be taught but attitude cannot. Hiring someone without that intrinsic motivation, the speaker warns, leads to mediocrity.

Chapters

One day, one of my close friends visited me and asked if I could find his son a job. Connecting him to industry friends and making introductions was not difficult at all. But I couldn't in good faith vouch for him. See, I've seen the kid grow up in front of my own eyes. He's a good kid and very well-mannered. But he has no interest in hard work or learning. As they say, You can train skills, but you can't train attitude. Anytime you bring someone into your company, whether hiring them or contracting, make sure they care about their craft. Otherwise, you're signing up for mediocrity.