In today's fast-paced and competitive job market, the qualities that define a successful career are evolving. Top business leaders, including Heidi K. Gardner from Harvard Law School, Peter Beck of Rocket Lab, Jason Buechel of Whole Foods, Sarah Paiji Yoo of Blueland, and Todd Graves of Raising Cane's, emphasize the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and passion in their employees. With job-hopping becoming increasingly common, these CEOs identify key traits that make employees stand out and thrive in their respective industries.
Heidi K. Gardner, a leadership expert and distinguished fellow at Harvard Law School, underscores the significance of collaboration and open-mindedness in achieving career success. Gardner notes that individuals who excel in teamwork possess a "major competitive edge," often delivering higher quality results and garnering faster promotions. This view is shared by other leaders who value flexibility and a willingness to embrace diverse perspectives.
Peter Beck, CEO of Rocket Lab, seeks employees who exhibit passion for the aerospace industry and adaptability to demanding schedules. He works extensive hours, ranging from 12-hour to 20-hour days during rocket launch preparations. Beck emphasizes that the opposite of negative traits—such as inflexibility and complacency—define a successful employee at Rocket Lab. He warns against those who are merely "there to collect a paycheck" or resistant to change, stating, "And if you are… you're probably not going to stay here working that long."
Jason Buechel, CEO of Whole Foods, echoes the importance of adaptability, recognizing it as a vital trait for any employee, including himself. Buechel identifies rigidity and an unwillingness to adapt as significant red flags: "somebody who thinks that it has to be exactly like this because this has always happened before," he explains, adding that flexible individuals understand that varied inputs often lead to better outcomes.
Sarah Paiji Yoo, co-founder and CEO of Blueland, values open-mindedness and collaborative decision-making. She looks for employees who can process differing viewpoints before reaching conclusions. Paiji Yoo cautions against those who believe they must make the final call by virtue of expertise alone. In her words, "I'm the expert in this and thus, I should be able to make the final call," which reflects an outdated mindset not conducive to success at Blueland.
Meanwhile, Todd Graves, CEO and co-founder of Raising Cane's, is cautious about candidates with extensive job changes on their resumes. For Graves, a pattern of short stints signals a lack of intrinsic motivation for long-term commitment. He aims to hire individuals driven by genuine dedication to his company's mission rather than personal ambition alone. Graves finds it concerning when candidates prioritize title and control over teamwork: "When they're more into title and control versus teamwork, it's a huge red flag for me," he states.
Beck also highlights the significance of commitment in his industry. At Blueland, as Paiji Yoo points out, "nobody comes here for an 8-to-5 job," implying the high level of dedication expected from employees. This sentiment resonates with Beck's observation that dedication beyond conventional work hours is crucial for success at Rocket Lab.