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Don't Look for Talent, Find People Who Do Things

tuckermax.me

51–60 of 71 posts

Re: Don't Look for Talent, Find People Who Do Things

#51

I find this particularly tingling because Tucker himself is a perfect example of doing things. He gets a lot of flak from people calling him a poor writer and lambasting him for writing about some of the "finer" topics in life. Yet, he is a New York Times bestselling author, and his detractors are not.

"he is a New York Times bestselling author, and his detractors are not." Then again, his book makes not being a bestselling author seem like an accomplishment.

"his book makes not being a bestselling author seem like an accomplishment".

And that, my friend, is a GREAT marketing plan. You know how when pg says that if there are two explanations for your situation, and one gives you an excuse to be lazy, choose the other one? Most people choose the excuse to be lazy. That's a big market just itching to pay to have someone tell them what they want to hear.

Re: Don't Look for Talent, Find People Who Do Things

#52

I can't work on projects outside of work because I work ~12 hours a day, 6-7 days a week and there's no way I can free up the long periods of time needed to create something good. I can't talk up my technical accomplishments in an interview because my job isn't particularly technically demanding or interesting, beyond the company name. I think I'm a good interviewer except when it comes to talking about anything I've…

Wait, you're working 60+ hours on boring crap that doesn't advance your career?

WHAT THE HELL?!? STOP THAT!!

Take another job. ANY other job. Flip burgers if you must. Get your priorities in order. 60+ hour work weeks on something you don't utterly love leave you no time to have a life, much less build a career.

Re: Don't Look for Talent, Find People Who Do Things

#53
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That isn't the same as "a person who doesn't do much of anything". I think it's more in the spirit of "what hobbies do you have" / "what kind of activities do you like".

Have you tried having small kids and managing to get some free time for hobbies? It's more challenging than it seems, and usually takes 6-7 years to resolve itself.

You are acting like somebody should care that you have kids. Seriously, who gives a fuck. Either you are a good fit for the job or not. Your "poor me" life circumstances are your own and frankly nobody cares. There is a reason why it is illegal to ask maritl status, etc. They are not relevant to a job.

Re: Don't Look for Talent, Find People Who Do Things

#54
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you tried having small kids and managing to get some free time for hobbies? It's more challenging than it seems, and usually takes 6-7 years to resolve itself.

You are acting like somebody should care that you have kids. Seriously, who gives a fuck. Either you are a good fit for the job or not. Your "poor me" life circumstances are your own and frankly nobody cares. There is a reason why it is illegal to ask maritl status, etc. They are not relevant to a job.

You are acting like the original suggestion was not 'judge people's ability to do the job by how they use the time they have outside of work'. If you don't give a fuck they have kids, don't ask about what they do outside of working hours.

Re: Don't Look for Talent, Find People Who Do Things

#55

I can't work on projects outside of work because I work ~12 hours a day, 6-7 days a week and there's no way I can free up the long periods of time needed to create something good. I can't talk up my technical accomplishments in an interview because my job isn't particularly technically demanding or interesting, beyond the company name. I think I'm a good interviewer except when it comes to talking about anything I've…

[deleted]

Re: Don't Look for Talent, Find People Who Do Things

#57
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you tried having small kids and managing to get some free time for hobbies? It's more challenging than it seems, and usually takes 6-7 years to resolve itself.

Yes. Both with autism. It is challenging, but not impossible. You have to do more than just a hobby. You have to manage time, energy, and money.

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Re: Don't Look for Talent, Find People Who Do Things

#58
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you tried having small kids and managing to get some free time for hobbies? It's more challenging than it seems, and usually takes 6-7 years to resolve itself.

Yes. Both with autism. It is challenging, but not impossible. You have to do more than just a hobby. You have to manage time, energy, and money.

Wow. Our younger is only slightly autistic, and the elder has already grown up. Two simultaneously would be challenging indeed!

Re: Don't Look for Talent, Find People Who Do Things

#59
post #42
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm yet to meet such a person. Probably it's just uncommon in the IT crowd, which is highly open to ideas and meritocratic.

How do you know that you've never met a person who didn't share their ideas with you?

I haven't met a person who would be visibly shy to share his ideas with others when I already knew about these. This is of course a skewed sample.

Re: Don't Look for Talent, Find People Who Do Things

#60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't say he wasn't right about this. Just regret that I provided traffic to his site.

That still makes no sense.

I agree, re. makes no sense; the man wrote a fine article. I have read one of Tucker Max's books and I am not proud to admit it. But this was one heck of a well-written article.
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