You can get people the qualifications; But you can't teach…
“You can get people the qualifications; But you can't teach them the qualities they're going to need. You can't teach integrity, a drive for excellence, refusal to quit under pressure. It's too late to build that into people you're going to hire.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Skills can be taught, but core character traits like integrity and resilience must be formed internally and cannot be imposed later.
In simple terms: Character traits develop internally, not through training.
Hire for character, not just credentials.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- interview screening
- team building workshops
- performance reviews
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Can culture shape these qualities?
- How to assess integrity in candidates?
Traits may evolve with culture, not just selection.