I have always admired Jim Collins and the approach the book “Good to Great.” He talks about how people are not your most important asset — the right people are:
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- Collins challenges conventional wisdom by stating, “People are not your most important asset. The right people are,” emphasizing the critical nature of selecting individuals who align with the company’s values and goals.
- In essence, Collins advocates for a hiring approach that values intrinsic qualities like adaptability, integrity, and drive over traditional metrics such as degrees or past job titles. By focusing on these attributes, organizations can build resilient teams capable of navigating change and driving sustained success.
In my 30+ years of recruiting, I have not seen a candidate (and business) climate like the one we are facing. Uncertainty and instability are the buzzwords of 2025, two words none of us like to plan our business around. When you are searching for talent, don’t you want to bring in employees who will learn and thrive in your culture and help you grow it? In a world overflowing with resumes, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of keywords, degrees, and job titles. But if you want to build a resilient, high-performing team — one that endures challenges and evolves with the business — character must come first.
A resume might tell you what someone can do, but it doesn’t tell you who they are. Sure, technical skills are important. But character — things like integrity, accountability, humility, work ethic, and resilience — determines how someone shows up when things get tough, how they treat others, and how they grow within your organization. In the long run, character outlasts credentials.
When companies hire based only on technical skills, they often overlook:
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- Team dynamics and culture impact
- Long-term growth and adaptability
- Alignment with values and mission
Skills may land someone the job. But character is what helps them keep it, thrive in it, and help others succeed too.
Don’t let the perfect resume blind you to the imperfect but high-character person behind another. Some of your greatest team members may come from unconventional backgrounds — but with the right values, they’ll outperform expectations every time.
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About Jim Roy
CEO
Des Moines, IA
jim.roy@pwsemployment.com
816-668-8853
Jim has 25 years of experience in the fields of staffing, recruiting, and human resources. After touring over 2,100 manufacturing and warehouse facilities in his career, Jim has developed workforce best practices that can be utilized to improve retention and reduce turnover. The staffing industry allowed Jim to learn many lessons in business, ranging from staff management to recruiting techniques and a healthy dose of acquisition activity. Jim earned his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and is the proud father of three girls.