For years, hiring managers were told to look for the "rockstar."
The person who walks in and immediately stands out. The smartest person in the room. The one who can seemingly do the work of three people.
But here's the problem with rockstars:
Sometimes they know they're rockstars.
And sometimes everything starts becoming about them.
I'd rather hire someone who makes the team better.
Someone who shares knowledge instead of guarding it. Someone who can disagree without creating division. Someone who asks for help and gives it freely. Someone who understands that culture isn't something HR puts on a poster. It's how we treat each other when the work gets difficult.
Technical skills matter. Experience matters. Talent absolutely matters.
But a brilliant hire who damages the culture can cost an organization far more than they contribute.
Especially in IT, we don't need heroes.
We need people who document what they know, develop the people around them, communicate, collaborate, and understand that success belongs to the team.
Hire talent.
But hire for culture, character, and collaboration too.
Because I'd rather build a great band than spend my career managing a rockstar.