I’ll never forget the pit in my stomach.
I was staring at the company’s bank account, and the numbers didn’t make sense. A huge amount of money was missing. I had assigned one employee to manage our sales and invoices. I had trusted him completely.
And then I realized—he had stolen from the company and vanished.
That betrayal cost me dearly and taught me a clear truth: one bad hire can undo everything you build, no matter how strong your team.
The Red Flags I Ignored
Looking back, the warning signs were there. I was too optimistic—or maybe too naïve—to see them.
When I hired him, his résumé was impressive and his confidence infectious. But within weeks, cracks started to show.
- No Real Passion — He didn’t care about our mission at Wardoh Books. He was like a bird with broken wings—looked capable, but couldn’t actually fly. He was there for a paycheck, not a purpose.
- Weak Work Ethic — He “talked fast, acted slow.” When we discussed standards or quality, his eyes glazed over. Mention breaks or entertainment, and he lit up. I excused it as a quirk. It wasn’t.
- Zero Curiosity — When I tried to train him, he bristled. He already thought he knew everything. That arrogance turned into apathy—and eventually, theft.
I tolerated it. I made excuses. And it cost me dearly.
The “Arrogant but Skilled” Trap
That experience reshaped how I hire.
Today, I run Wardoh Books with over 40 Singaporean writers and editors. I’ve learned that skill without humility is a liability.
I’ve interviewed brilliant writers who treated the conversation like a performance rather than a collaboration. I didn’t hire them. Why? Because I’m not building a group of freelancers—I’m building a team.
One “brilliant” but arrogant person can poison an entire culture.
My 3 Rules for Building a Team That Lasts
That betrayal became the foundation of my hiring philosophy. My approach is simple: focus on character over credentials, and prioritize hiring for curiosity, work ethic, and responsibility above all else.
1. Curiosity Comes First
Curious people ask questions, seek solutions, and make your whole company smarter. I’ll take a curious beginner over a cynical expert any day.
2. Work Ethic Is Non-Negotiable
I look for doers, not talkers. The people who show up early, stay late, and take pride in small details—those are the ones you can trust when the stakes rise.
3. Responsibility Above All
This is the hardest to find and the most valuable to keep.
I watch how people handle small promises before trusting them with big ones. Do they deliver? Do they make mistakes? Responsibility can’t be taught—it’s part of who they are.
Final Thoughts
That stolen money was painful, but the lessons were priceless. It taught me that as a founder, you’re not just a leader—you’re the guardian of your company’s culture.
You don’t just build a product. You build a team.
And the team you build becomes the business you get.
Choose them wisely.
