Why hiring for culture is a short-term play--and what to do instead

INC. THIS MORNING Why hiring for culture is a short-term play--and what to do instead Good morning, In an era when many founders are looking to build their companies virtually overnight and get rich quick, Tristan Walker is a rarity. While the 36-year-old founder sold his startup Walker & Company to Procter & Gamble in 2018, he says his goal is to build a business that stands the test of time--which is why he makes every decision with legacy in mind. "Some people just want to get rich, which is fine," Walker, still his brand’s CEO, said during an Inc. webinar on Wednesday. "Some people want to see their vision brought to fruition, which is also fine. For me, it was clear. I didn't do this for the money. It was to be around 150 years from now." That’s a whole lot easier said than done. So, when Walker launched his personal care business for people of color in 2013, he came up with six personal values to use as filters for those legacy-focused decisions: courage, inspiration, respect, judgment, wellness, and loyalty. Now, he says, the strategy has led to some unexpected results. For example: Walker says hiring through those filters has been more useful than any “hire for culture” blueprint he’s seen. Hiring for culture may help in finding a good golfing partner or someone who can be fun in meetings, he explains, but it’s less focused on supporting a company’s longer-term goals. [Check out the recap of our hourlong conversation with Walker]( to learn more. And [watch the video highlights for his advice]( on raising capital, going where your customers are, and finding the motivation to build a company on your own terms. HERE'S WHAT ELSE I'M READING TODAY: A pandemic and trade war made sourcing difficult for apparel startups. [These two businesses]( have taken up their cause. --Inc. There’s a very [big difference]( between great leaders and “innovators.” --Inc. New data from the Internal Revenue Service says [high unemployment in the U.S. could persist for years]( to come. --Bloomberg (subscription required) [A weekend long read]( Why are there still so few Black executives in America? --USA Today Use these [five strategies]( to eliminate toxic behavior in your workplace. --Inc. Being a good boss in bad times is hard. Take a moment to remember [these essential leadership principles](. --Inc. --Cameron Albert-Deitch Reporter, Inc. How are we doing? Send me ideas and feedback for Inc. This Morning at [calbertdeitch@inc.com](mailto:calbertdeitch@inc.com?subject=) or on [Twitter](. [Click here]( to forward to a friend. This email was sent by: Mansueto Ventures 7 World Trade Center, 29th Floor New York, NY, 10007, [Unsubscribe]( • [Update Profile]( • [View in Browser]( • [Privacy Policy](