146 sats \ 3 replies \ @elvismercury 31 Mar \ parent \ on: SN's Hiring Trial and Energetic Solutions to Problems Created by My Shortcomings meta
This is, to me, another aspect of the diversity of the ecosystem @k00b was talking about -- a couple brilliant-but-fickle types can really add a lot, but that's not the only type you need, and shouldn't be the main one. They're like a really strong flavor to be used judiciously.
It's even more interesting when you zoom out and think of this not as a skillset (e.g., programming and the like) but as a mental configuration. What distribution of types of people are most effective, collectively? In the big companies I worked for it was never really possible to think in these ecological terms, but in one of the small ones we sort of did, and I was very aware when hiring myself. A good mix of personality types can be more important in a complex environment than the more measurable skills.
It's even more interesting when you zoom out and think of this not as a skillset (e.g., programming and the like) but as a mental configuration.
My dad puts it this way: "You need two of every animal or else it's a boring zoo."
In other words it is wise to understand, celebrate and optimize our differences for the higher good.