If you owned a company, which type of person would you want more: an intelligent person or a hard worker?

Question

I would choose the intelligent person because he or she would make the company go in a positive direction. The hard worker would just keep the company going.

I do not mean inserting intelligence into the hard worker by telling him about the company. I mean being able to think on his feet, come up with good ideas, and is noticeably smart. Something that can only be taught an early age.

Answer 1

It really depends on the job. A lazy, intelligent person is of little use to the company.

Answer 2

Ideally, a hard working intelligent person. But to answer your question, a hard worker. If you have a hard worker, then you can take your time in finding the right "intelligent" person to make sure the company is strong. It doesn't matter that you have all these ideas to make the company better, if you don't have the man power to actually put those ideas into practice.

Answer 3

Of course, the ideal is both intelligent and hard working cuz every company needs both to succeed. But if I had to choose between the two, I'd prefer a hard worker cuz you can always teach them to learn about the business whereas an intelligent person who isn't already a hard worker can't be taught to be one. Either they already have good work ethics or not, can't teach that otherwise.

Answer 4

I think a good company would need a good balance of both. Hard workers can be hard to find at any intelligence level, but I would very glad to have a hard worker I could trust. And I would reward his hard work with benefits and praise, and hope he wanted to learn more.

Answer 5

From a business owners standpoint.

I want a hard worker. A hard worker will put forth the effort to accomplish the goal at hand. Skills and knowledge of the specialty can always be learned. A hard worker will work to learn.

An intellect will quite often question your ability to run the company and will not be willing to learn anything else. He already
knows it all.

I want someone who is teachable.

Answer 6

You can always teach new things to a hard worker. Then you'll have an intelligent hard worker.

Answer 7

I think it's better to hire an intelligent worker - sure, they may not work as 'hard' as a hard worker - but then they may not need to, because they are more likely to find ways to work 'smarter,' not 'harder.'

Answer 8

I would much rather have a hard worker. Intelligence is one thing, but without good work ethics, it doesn't mean much.

Answer 9

Hard worker.

If you hire intelligent people, they're more likely to second guess you and deman more pay. Hard Workers typically shut up and work.

Answer 10

hands down hard worker, anyone can learn but character doesn't come so easily