Integrity Intelligence Initiative

Look, we're not just building products; we're building the future. And the future isn't just about the next big idea, or the fastest processor, it's about the people who make it all happen. We need people with vision, people who can push the boundaries, and people who will do it with absolute integrity.

I'm going to be blunt: intelligence and drive, they're table stakes. You need them, absolutely. We look for those two things when we hire people. But, if they don’t have the third, integrity, the first two will kill you. If you hire someone without integrity, you are better off with them being lazy and dumb. That’s not me being harsh; it’s just a hard truth.

Integrity is the foundation. It's the bedrock upon which everything else is built. It’s about being honest when it’s easier to be dishonest. It’s about doing the right thing, even when no one's watching. It’s about building trust. And trust, is everything. It means your colleagues can depend on you, that they know you're accountable.
Intelligence is the power. It’s the ability to see things others don’t, to solve problems others can't even approach. We need sharp minds to make the impossible possible. It's not just about knowing the answers; it's about asking the right questions, and being relentlessly curious.
Initiative is the engine. It's the drive, the energy, the spark that turns ideas into reality. We need people who don’t wait to be told, people who see what needs to be done and get it done. It’s about having the courage to take risks, to fail, and to learn from those failures, then get up and do it all again.

Now, here’s where it all comes together. Intelligence and initiative without integrity? It’s like giving a high powered engine to a bad driver. It’s dangerous. It's a disaster waiting to happen. You need all three working in harmony.

So how do we find this? It's not about reading resumes; it's about reading character. It’s about digging deeper during interviews, asking questions that reveal the person underneath. Here are some examples that we need to ask:

How do you respond when faced with ethical challenges?
When have you broken the rules and why?
How do you prefer to work with people?
What values do you admire in a team setting?
And here’s a little trick - If we got into a bind with a client, would you be willing to tell a little lie to help us out?

This last question is a test of character. Someone with integrity will object. Anyone operating with integrity will raise a red flag and object to the question. Then we’ll explain why we asked the question. If they object, they just passed the test. If they lie, they failed it. End of story.

The stakes are too high for us not to prioritize integrity, intelligence, and initiative. If we hire the right people, people with all three of these qualities, they will help us create not just great products, but a legacy. That's what we're here to do.