Execs aren’t looking for the sharpest tool in the shed—but rather, the nicest

Hey there. Orianna here from Fortune. 

It’s not what you know, or even who you know, that could land you your next job. But rather, your attitude.

Throughout my interviews with top executives, one common hiring green flag just keeps cropping up: Being a nice, down to earth, good egg is perhaps more important than the skills listed on your resume.

Of course, you’ll likely need baseline qualifications and relevant experience to get the interview in the first instance. But you could be the sharpest tool in the box, and still blow it if you’re disingenuous, entitled, and people don’t actually want to work with you.

Amazon’s AI boss exclusively told me, while I was moderating at Viva Technology Paris, that stumbling your way through an interview question won’t cost you the job. But being fake will. 

Andy Jassy, the company’s CEO and his boss, has similarly shared that attitude is the make-or-break trait that’ll determine your success—especially, he says, in your 20s. 

Likewise, Cisco’s U.K. chief focuses on whether a potential new hire has a positive energy and can-do attitude because, she says, that can’t be taught. “It’s more about the person first and foremost than it is about skills or experience,” Sarah Walker told Fortune.

Duolingo’s CEO would even rather be understaffed than hire an asshole—or in the exact words he told Fortune, “it’s better to have a hole than an asshole.”

Some hiring managers are even going out of their way to test if you’re a bad apple. 

Beyond the interview, the CEOs of Pret and Kurt Geiger both told me they climbed the ladder from a McDonald's worker and toilet cleaner (respectively) to leadership positions partly by being genuinely good to be around. 

“You don’t want to be there chipping away at your boss negatively,” Kurt Geiger’s chief exec, Neil Clifford, explained. “You want them to love you and want to help you.

The reason why positivity and kindness can determine success is pretty straightforward: We spend a huge chunk of our waking hours at work—and people want to spend that time with people they actually like. The best part? Unlike technical skills or raw talent, being a good human is entirely up to you.

Leadership tip of the week 💡 

This 14-time Olympic medalist Katie Ledecky sets goals—but never with the intention to win. Why? Because “winning is inherently about comparison,” she says. Taking your eyes off your lane to look at what the competition is doing, will only throw you off your own pace. 

—Orianna Rosa Royle, Success Associate Editor, Fortune

Got a career tip or dilemma? Get in touch: orianna.royle@fortune.com You can also find me online: @oriannarosa

Leadership Next

Zillow CEO Jeremy Wacksman joins Leadership Next to unpack the forces reshaping American real estate—and the friction threatening its transparency. In a wide-ranging conversation, Wacksman addresses the industry lawsuit brought by Compass and defends Zillow’s stance on keeping property listings open and accessible to all. He explains how the current system—a uniquely American one that allows any buyer or agent to view every listing—is now at risk.

 With home prices nearly doubling since the pandemic and affordability out of reach for many millennials and Gen Z buyers, Wacksman outlines how Zillow is leaning into AI, computer vision, and immersive virtual experiences to create “super listings” that streamline the buying process. He also shares Zillow’s strategy for supporting buyers long before they’re ready to transact, highlighting the role of casual browsing in shaping the future of homeownership.

Wacksman discusses the emotional weight of buying a home, why nearly half of buyers report crying during the process, and how Zillow is building tools to ease the burden. He also opens up about the company’s remote-first culture, the power of retreats to foster creativity, and why he champions a “career jungle gym” over a traditional ladder.

Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts or read the transcript here.