Attitude Quote by Herb Kelleher
“We will hire someone with less experience, less education, and less expertise, than someone who has more of those things and has a rotten attitude. Because we can train people. We can teach people how to lead. We can teach people how to provide customer service. But we can't change their DNA.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Business leadership discussion
Hiring based on attitude over credentials, emphasizing trainability and cultural fit, while acknowledging limits of changing innate traits.
In simple terms: Hire for mindset, not just résumé.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize attitude in recruitment.
Themes
leadership
recruitment
culture
training
Mood
practical
strategic
Type
business advice
leadership insight
When to use this quote
- HR hiring
- team building
- leadership training
Key Concepts
DNA metaphor
attitude
skill development
Questions to Reflect On
- Can training truly reshape innate tendencies?
- How to balance experience with cultural fit?
A Different Perspective
Attitude alone may not compensate for skill gaps.
