Hiring is the most crucial role for any founding team. Despite the demands of building our businesses, founders and organizational leaders need to prioritize the recruitment process. As the gatekeepers and custodians of our organizational culture, my co-founders (Bijon Islam & Ivdad Ahmed Khan Mojlish) and I are dedicated to identifying individuals with the right attitude and aptitude. We commit 5-10% of our work week to interviewing potential recruits.

Attitude always trumps aptitude. At LightCastle Partners, we require individuals with high IQ, strong fundamentals, excellent communication skills, technical knowledge, and the ability to analyze scenarios and design strategies and interventions for our clients. Equally important are humility, sincerity, and a sense of ownership. We prefer hiring an above-average candidate with the right attitude over a brilliant jerk who lacks basic human values.

Our multi-stage, case-based assessment process is pivotal in evaluating a candidate’s aptitude. However, assessing attitude and cultural fit can be more challenging. To address this, we adopt the following principles:

Intellectual Humility: We ask scenario-based questions to gauge how candidates react to intellectual challenges. Do they demonstrate intellectual humility or rigidly cling to their views?

Group-Based Interviews: Including junior members in the interview process allows us to observe how candidates, especially potential lateral hires, interact and respond to questions from less experienced team members.

Thorough Background Checks: We conduct comprehensive background checks to identify any red flags regarding candidates’ professionalism and relationships with former coworkers.

Likability Parameter: All interviewers rate candidates based on likability, considering whether they would want to work with the individual as a team member.

Extended Probationary Period: Our 4-6 month probationary period helps ensure new hires are a strong cultural fit. We respectfully part ways with those who cannot integrate into our culture.

Building a strong organization starts with hiring the right individuals who possess a blend of attitude and aptitude.