If you’re struggling to hire, it’s rarely because talent doesn’t exist.
It’s usually because expectations haven’t been prioritised.
Most hiring processes begin with good intentions. You want someone experienced. Reliable. Technically strong. A cultural fit. Commercially aware.
The issues begin when every one of those expectations becomes non-negotiable. That’s when hiring slows down.
Perfection Slows Hiring
When every requirement becomes non-negotiable, your talent pool shrinks dramatically.
And while you wait:
- Projects stall
- Teams overstretch
- Revenue is delayed
- Morale drops
The market doesn’t pause while you search for the perfect person.
The Real Question: What Actually Matters?
Instead of asking, “Who is perfect?” Ask, “What does this role need to deliver in year one?”
Be specific.
Is it:
- Stabilising a team?
- Delivering a project?
- Reducing downtime?
- Improving process?
- Scaling output?
Once you define outcomes, the brief becomes clearer
And usually, shorter.
Where You Can Compromise (Without Lowering Standards)
Compromise does not mean lowering the bar. It means prioritising correctly.
Here’s where flexibility often makes commercial sense:
Sector Background
Do they need your exact industry, or a similar operational environment?
Strong engineers, IT professionals, and leaders transfer skills faster than most businesses assume.
Years of Experience
Ten years doesn’t guarantee impact.
Five strong years in the right environment can outperform a decade of repetition.
Technical Skill Gaps
Can 20% of the skillset be trained in six months?
If yes, you’ve just widened your talent pool significantly.
The “Culture Fit” Myth
Are you hiring for values, or similarity?
Different backgrounds often strengthen teams, not weaken them.
The Budget Expectation
If you want someone exceptional, are you paying at the top of the market?
If not, something has to give; scope, experience, or expectation.
What You Shouldn’t Compromise On
Not everything is flexible.
You should be firm on:
- Core capability required to deliver outcomes
- Behavioural standards
- Accountability
- Work ethic
Compromise on trainable skills. Don’t compromise on character or performance mindset.
Strong Hiring Is About Clarity
The best hiring decisions happen when businesses are honest about:
- What’s essential
- What’s desirable
- What’s trainable
- What’s unrealistic
Perfection feels safe. But commercial hiring decisions aren’t about safety
They’re about momentum. They’re about progress. They’re about building teams that deliver
If your role has been live for months and you’re still waiting for “the right person”, it may not be a talent issue. It may be time to simplify the brief.
Because if you’re looking for a unicorn, you need to remember one thing:
They don’t exist.
And the businesses that accept that and hire decisively are the ones that move ahead.