Many might assume that managers would steer clear of hiring ‘annoying’ individuals, considering they are the ones who have to manage them.
However, Jeff Bezos, a notably successful businessman, suggests that annoying individuals could be integral to achieving success.
The Amazon founder discussed the characteristics he seeks in employees during a 2019 conversation on Innovation in the Space Industry and Blue Origin.
During the discussion, Bezos outlined a few key questions managers should consider when promoting or hiring, such as: “Does this person like to be innovative?” and “Do they have a bit of a pioneering spirit?”
Bezos also highlighted that ideal candidates might be ‘a little bit annoying’.
He elaborated: “They might be a little bit radical, a bit of a rebel – they’re not always the easiest people to get along with.”
If managing a rebel on your team seems daunting, consider the potential benefits.
Bezos emphasized that such individuals are valuable to an organization, despite being ‘mavericks’. He noted, however, that their presence should be balanced.
“They’re a spice. I wouldn’t recommend having 90 percent mavericks,” Bezos continued.
“You have to teach the value that these people bring, but also I would push hard on the mavericks to say ‘you also have to be organized’. You can’t just be a crazy person,” Bezos added.
“It’s fine to be a maverick but, write your ideas down, sell your ideas, persuade, create the conditions where the ideas can blossom.”
While managing ‘annoying’ people requires effort, Bezos’s approach suggests their potential value is worth it.
Jeff Bezos is not alone in valuing the benefits of hiring individuals who might be challenging to manage. Researcher Francesca Gino has also explored why diverse opinions can be advantageous.
In her book Rebel Talent: Why it Pays to Break the Rules at Work and in Life, Gino explained: “As humans, we often focus on just one perspective, and generally it’s our own.
“Whether it’s in conversations or in meetings, we often seek out the opinions of people who have something similar to offer. What rebels do is fight that instinct. They find ways to steer some conflict or encourage disagreement.”
So, whether you’re interviewing for a job or hiring for a new position, it might be worth considering the value of a rebel.