Entrepreneur Steven Bartlett says one of the most important lessons he has learned as a leader came not from a resume filled with credentials but from a moment many employers may overlook entirely.
According to a recent Fortune article, Bartlett, founder and host of “The Diary of a CEO” podcast, hired a candidate whose CV was just two lines long and listed virtually no formal experience. What ultimately set the applicant apart was not her background but her character and awareness during the interview process.
“Much of the reason why I gave her the job was because: She thanked the security guard by name on the way into the building,” Bartlett explained.
For him, that small interaction signaled humility, respect, and cultural awareness, traits he believes are far more complex to teach than technical skills.
A Hiring Decision Based On Character, Not Credentials
Bartlett said the candidate continued to demonstrate those values throughout the interview.
When she did not know the answer to a question, she openly acknowledged it and explained how she would go about finding the solution, Fortune notes. After the interview ended, she followed up within hours, having taught herself the answer and emailed it to Bartlett.
That initiative proved decisive, and the 33-year-old said that six months later, the employee has become one of the strongest hires he has ever made.
“Fifteen years of hiring has taught me that culture fit and character is MUCH harder to hire than experience, skills or education,” Bartlett stated via Fortune.
Interview Etiquette And The Growing Debate Online
Bartlett’s comments arrive as interview etiquette has become a growing topic of debate online, particularly among younger job seekers questioning how much weight traditional credentials still carry.
As Fortune notes, it’s a common belief that elite degrees, extensive experience, and big-name employers are the primary keys to landing roles. Yet, Bartlett’s experience suggests behavior, curiosity, and accountability can matter just as much, if not more.
His approach resonates especially with early-career applicants who may lack long résumés but demonstrate a strong work ethic and interpersonal awareness.
How Bartlett’s Leadership Style Shapes His Hiring Philosophy
Bartlett’s emphasis on values over polish is consistent with the leadership approach he has applied across his broader career. According to a Forbes profile, Bartlett’s podcast, “The Diary of a CEO,” is one of the most-watched podcasts in the world with more than 1 billion total streams and millions of monthly listeners.
Bartlett, who opted to be a free agent, built his media empire through constant experimentation, data analysis, and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom about growth and success. The English investor launched multiple social media companies before founding Social Chain, later becoming one of the youngest investors on “Dragon’s Den,” the U.K. equivalent of “Shark Tank.”
Why Bartlett Believes Skills Can Be Taught, Values Cannot
Bartlett’s career has been shaped by feeling like an outsider, as he grew up in England the son of a Nigerian mother and British father and felt intimidated by his brothers’ achievements. He has also found success by learning to build credibility through curiosity, discipline, and execution rather than relying solely on formal validation, Forbes notes. That perspective helps explain why he places such emphasis on character during interviews.
Bartlett believes skills evolve quickly, especially in media and technology, but values and mindset determine whether someone can grow with an organization over time.
His experience hiring a candidate with no formal experience reinforces that belief. As he told Fortune, the decision paid off precisely because the hire demonstrated accountability, humility, and a willingness to learn, qualities that do not appear on a CV.
Rethinking What Employers Should Look For
As interview norms continue to shift, Bartlett’s lesson challenges both employers and job seekers to reconsider what truly signals potential. His story underscores that how a candidate treats others, responds to uncertainty, and follows through after an interview may reveal more than any list of qualifications.
For Bartlett, the takeaway is simple but transformative. Experience can be taught, yet character must be recognized.
