Good enough Quote by Ben Horowitz
““I understood the importance of hiring for strength rather than for lack of weakness, and I understood the meaning of “fit.” There are lots of smart people in the world, but smart is not good enough. I needed people who were great where I needed greatness. I needed people who really wanted to do the jobs they were hired for. And I needed people who believed in the mission—””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz, 2014
Hiring should focus on candidates’ strengths and cultural fit, not merely the absence of weaknesses; excellence and mission alignment are essential.
In simple terms: Hire for strengths and fit, not just lack of flaws.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize talent that matches your needs and values.
Themes
recruitment
leadership
culture
Mood
pragmatic
strategic
Type
advice
leadership
When to use this quote
- startup hiring
- team building
- executive search
Key Concepts
human resources
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- What strengths are most critical for your team?
- How do you assess cultural fit without bias?
A Different Perspective
Finding such talent is difficult and may limit diversity of thought.
