Why Skill and Experience Aren’t All Leaders Should Consider

Sep 4, 2025 | Podcast

waw ep 125

“If someone isn’t motivated, it doesn’t matter how much skill they have—they won’t apply themselves.”

When most organizations look at a resume, the first thing they notice is experience. Years in the field, past job titles, technical training. It all looks impressive. But I’ve seen too many leaders make the mistake of assuming that experience automatically equals performance. The fact is, it doesn’t.

High performers share three qualities: skill, an “I can” attitude, and passion. Don’t get me wrong, skill matters. It’s the foundation that allows someone to do the job. But without the self-motivation to apply that skill and the passion to keep pushing forward, it’s just a line on paper. Experience alone can’t guarantee those things.

Early in my career, I was hired at Disney with no serving experience. What I did have was energy, motivation, and a passion for creating great experiences. Disney chose to teach me the technical skills. By the end of my contract, I had over 300 guest comment cards recognizing my work. That didn’t happen because I walked in with years of restaurant experience. It happened because I cared.

Now when I help leaders recruit, I emphasize motivation-based interviewing. Skills or experience should not be ignored, but they should not be the main focus. It is also important to look into their motivation and passion. Are they are they driven to overcome obstacles? Do they genuinely enjoy the work? Do they have the desire to grow with the role? Once you start considering the skill, experience, and motivation of potential employees, everything else falls into place.