Start-up Sutra #4: Attitude Eats Aptitude For Lunch

Last week, the NIMBL team was in full force at the SAPInsider conference HANA2017. It was an amazing event on many levels (dynamite educational content; connecting with fellow SAP-philes; bonding with the team (karaoke anyone?); reflecting on NIMBL's evolution; solid led-gen; etc.)

During one of the breaks between jammed-packed sessions - a young, hungry, and enthusiastic man approached me to introduce himself. John (not his real name) recently graduated from college after spending 5+ years in the Navy. He was an information technology engineer during his military service. He came to the conference - on his own dime - "to learn as much as he could to better himself." Paying his hard-earned money for SAP education, John was 1000% committed to becoming an SAP expert.

Booya. That's what I'm talking about.

Our quick five minute intro blossomed into a 20 minute deep-dive into his background; professional passions; and Asian touring duty experience. After exchanging business cards - which in turn excited John into providing a fascinating and detailed lesson in the art of Japanese business card exchange - he went back to his seat to prepare for the three-hour lab.

I was truly inspired.

John - and his "through hell or high-water" attitude - exemplifies the fundamental principle that life's success is 99% attitude and 1% aptitude. While many profess this golden-truth either from the perspective of the employee ("With the right attitude I/we can accomplish anything") or from the employer lens ("Regardless of talent, we only hire folks with the right attitude") - most don't embody.

When NIMBL first started - we hired and prioritized talent first. We believed that by hiring the strongest technicians - we would deliver the best product and in turn - our customers would benefit the most.

This theory turned out to be nonsense.

We have since learned (and continue to learn) while talent is obviously important - a positive can-do attitude is much more important. In fact - in my opinion - the right attitude is ultimately the biggest single contributor to success... both professional and other. In retrospect - this is obvious. However - previous to multiple NIMBL learning experiences (i.e. hiring kick-ass engineers with the wrong attitude) - it was far from it... ...but that lesson is for another post.

Getting back to our hero... John has already had one NIMBL employment interview and moved onto the next round. Whether John is ultimately hired at NIMBL (I hope so) or not is not the lesson. John is the lesson. He and his attitude are winners.

As always - would love to hear your thoughts / comments. Namaste.

[Disclaimer: I do not remotely profess to embody this sutra (please see my Startup Sutras original post for more background); practice this sutra as much as I should; and/or be any role model. Like all ideals, I strive as much as the next to practice as much as possible.]