Finding very talented people often comes with an interesting challenge. It’s almost as if a certain level of arrogance comes hand-in-hand with competence.

This is not always a bad thing. But it becomes a real problem when it prevents someone from listening, or following instructions. That’s when talent, no matter how impressive, turns into a liability.

But, you also don’t want people who simply listen and follow instructions without ever pushing back, questioning, or bringing their own ideas.

The real magic happens in the middle — that sweet spot where confidence meets humility. It’s where someone has enough self-belief to take risks and lead, but also enough humility to keep learning, listen to others, and be adaptable. Finding people who strike that balance is what we’ve been trying to do at Aptiw for a while now. It’s tough.