Employee Quote by John W. Gardner
“When hiring key employees, there are only two qualities to look for: judgement and taste. Almost everything else can be bought by the yard.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Business Leadership Conference, 1970
Effective hiring focuses on judgment and taste, as other skills can be taught or purchased.
In simple terms: Hire for judgment and taste; other qualities are learnable.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize judgment and taste.
Themes
leadership
recruitment
values
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
Type
strategic
practical
When to use this quote
- executive search
- startup hiring
- team building
Key Concepts
human resources
decision-making
culture building
Questions to Reflect On
- What tests reveal judgment?
- How can taste be assessed?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on intangible qualities may overlook technical competence.
