Why I’ll Always Build My Team This Way—And Why Your Entire Business Might Depend On It

Are you chasing skills when you should be chasing something far more valuable? Here’s the honest truth: The wrong hire, no matter how talented, could cripple your business, your culture, and your mission.

The Million-Pound Question: Character or Skills?

If you’re an entrepreneur, a manager, or just dreaming of launching your own venture, you’ve probably faced this dilemma: Should I hire the candidate with dazzling experience and elite skills, or the one whose values, character, and mindset are perfectly aligned with our mission?

Sounds obvious, right? “Ideally both!”—I hear you. But what if that unicorn doesn’t exist within your budget or network? What matters most?

Here’s my answer, based on years of leading and learning on my own extraordinary journey: character, values and traits must come first.

Why I Bet My Mission on Character

Imagine a football team packed with outrageously gifted players but no unity, no shared goals, no belief in the cause. As a lifelong Manchester United fan, I watched the magic of Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams—why did they win everything? Because, beyond sheer talent, those players embodied the club’s values and culture. They battled for each other, and for the badge, creating a “winning machine” that bested even technically superior opponents.

Since Ferguson? Big-name managers, superstars galore, but no lasting success—because the culture and collective buy-in evaporated. The lesson? Brilliance is hollow without belief and shared effort.

Teams Built on Values Break Through Barriers

Translating that to entrepreneurship, here’s what I’ve witnessed time and again: A team of the “right people”—driven, adaptable, collaborative, and unswervingly committed to our mission—will outlast and out learn those with just technical skills.

A technically perfect team member who doesn’t gel, who dodges feedback, or who undermines the ethos? That’s a ticking time-bomb. Communication breaks down, resentment festers, and your mission loses momentum. In contrast, someone who shares your values—growth mindset, resilience, integrity—will always find a way to close knowledge gaps, learn new skills, and drive the business forward.

Character can’t be taught. Skills can.

How To Spot the “Right People” for Your Mission

• Values First Screening: Find out what matters to them—does it match your vision?

• Cultural Fit Assessments: Group interviews, scenarios, or trial projects to gauge team chemistry.

• Growth Mindset Hunt: Do they see problems as challenges, or opportunities to learn?

If you consistently select for character, you’ll forge a resilient culture that tackles adversity, innovates relentlessly, and never loses sight of the mission.

Why This Matters More Than Ever (My £1M Pledge)

Remember: My Runpreneur Challenge isn’t just about me running a lap of the globe—it’s a movement to save children’s lives. With every stride and every team decision, I prove this: Without the right people behind me, no distance is possible, and no target is reachable.

I urge you—if you’re building a team, a project, or a business: Pick people whose character matches your mission. Technical gaps can be trained, but broken values will break your business. Trust me—the right collective mindset is unstoppable.

What do you value more when building your team? Character or skills? Let’s spark the debate! Drop your thoughts below.

And if you believe in my mission to help save children’s lives—subscribe, like, share, or comment. Every interaction helps me reach more supporters, raise more funds, and get one step closer to the £1,000,000 target. Join me as I run beyond 4,292 days. Let’s make a difference, together.

Stay positive. Stay happy. Build your team to last. —Kevin, The Runpreneur