When I was Chief Talent Officer at Netflix, I gave our receptionist one unusual job: “Tell me who’s a jerk to you.”
It might sound harsh, but it became one of the most powerful tools in our hiring process — and in my own growth as a leader.
Early in my career, I’ll admit, I didn’t always catch the subtle red flags in people. If someone was smart, articulate, and confident in an interview, I’d be impressed. I wanted to believe that great talent would automatically mean great teammate.
But over time, I saw how often the “brilliant but difficult” people created the biggest problems once they joined. That’s when I started looking for new ways to see what was underneath the polish.
In the interview room, everyone’s prepared. They’ve practiced answers, rehearsed their stories, and know what to say. But in the lobby, not everyone behaves well. Sometimes, the mask slips.
