In a recent LinkedIn post, Simon Squibb challenges conventional hiring wisdom, arguing that a candidate’s ‘dream’ and intrinsic drive are far more important than their CV or academic qualifications. Squibb, a prominent figure in the business world, uses his own interview process as a case study to illustrate his philosophy on building high-performing teams.
Squibb reveals that the very first question he poses to potential hires has nothing to do with their resume or past roles. Instead, he asks: “What’s your dream?” This approach, he explains, is designed to uncover a candidate’s core motivations and passions, elements he believes are impossible to teach or instill.
“Skills can be taught and experience can be gained. But you can’t teach someone to care.”
Rethinking the Definition of an ‘A Player’
According to Simon Squibb, the traditional metrics of success in hiring – degrees and impressive CVs – are misleading. He contends that true ‘A players’ are not necessarily the most academically credentialed or experienced individuals. Instead, Squibb identifies them as those who exhibit the greatest level of care and passion for their work.
Squibb elaborates on this by stating:
“An A player isn’t necessarily the smartest. They don’t have fancy degrees or an impressive CV. An A player is someone who cares the most.”
He looks for individuals with compelling life stories, those who have overcome challenges and demonstrated agency in shaping their own paths. These are the candidates, in Squibb’s view, who possess the innate drive that transcends mere technical proficiency.
The Power of Purpose Over Management
A key tenet of Simon Squibb’s philosophy is the idea that high-potential employees do not require traditional management. Instead, they need to be ‘unleashed.’ This distinction is crucial, as Squibb posits that individuals driven by purpose and passion are self-starters who do not need constant oversight.
He further explains his approach to team building:
“Those people don’t need managing. They need unleashing.”
Squibb advocates for managing purpose rather than individuals. By aligning a team member’s personal purpose with the overarching company goals, he believes leaders can foster an environment where employees are intrinsically motivated to excel. This intrinsic motivation, according to Squibb, is far more powerful and sustainable than external incentives.
Why Purpose Drives Performance
Simon Squibb emphasizes the profound impact of purpose on employee engagement and retention. He argues that getting the purpose right is the linchpin for building a committed and high-performing team. Conversely, if the purpose is misaligned or unclear, even significant financial rewards and perks will ultimately fail to retain talent.
“Get the purpose right and they’ll run through walls for you,” Squibb writes, highlighting the transformative effect of a strong sense of mission. “Get it wrong and no amount of salary, perks or ping pong tables will make them stay.”
In essence, Simon Squibb’s insights from his LinkedIn post offer a compelling alternative to traditional hiring and management strategies. By prioritizing passion and purpose over credentials, businesses can potentially cultivate more dedicated, resilient, and high-achieving teams.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Simon Squibb on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on April 14, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →