One underrated skill I’ve learned as a tech lead: betting on potential, not just credentials.

Years ago at Bippo, we needed a solid web developer, someone ready to dive into Java, Spring Framework, and Apache Wicket.

One candidate stood out… but not for the usual reasons.

– He was a J2ME developer, skilled in mobile Java for feature phones.

– No experience in HTML, CSS, JavaScript. None.

– By resume alone, most would’ve passed.

But in the interview, I saw something else:

– Strong logical thinking

– Deep understanding of his undergrad project

– Genuine drive to grow

So I took the leap. I hired him.

I mentored him on web development from scratch. Not just tech, but also debugging, architecture, and how to ask good questions.

📈 The result?

He quickly ramped up and became one of the best web developers we had.

Fast, collaborative, and trusted by everyone.

🌱 How I learned this lesson:

By slowing down during hiring and looking beyond surface-level skills. I asked: Can this person grow with the right support?

🎯 Why it matters:

Your next top performer might not look “ready” on paper.

But if you invest in coaching and believe in their potential, they’ll often exceed expectations.

🧠 I’d love to hear your take:

Have you ever taken a chance on someone, or had someone take a chance on you?

Drop your story in the comments, or message me anytime. Let’s swap lessons.