Every founder I speak to wants the same thing: someone who just 'gets it.' But what does that actually mean? After years of placing brilliant people into founder-led businesses, I can spot who'll thrive. They all share these specific traits: 1. Ambiguity tolerance ↳In SMEs, job descriptions are just the starting point. The person who can say "I'll figure it out" instead of "that's not my job" becomes indispensable. 2. Commercial curiosity ↳ Understanding why the business makes money, not just how to do your tasks. I've seen junior hires outshine seniors because they asked "but why?" more often. 3. Resourcefulness over resources ↳Big company? Call IT. SME? You ARE IT (sometimes). The ability to Google, experiment, and solve without a manual is gold. 4. Emotional regulation ↳When the founder's having a moment, the client's unhappy, and everything's on fire... can you stay calm? This skill alone has saved more SME careers than any certification. 5. Translation skills ↳Can you explain technical concepts to non-technical people? And vice versa? In small teams, you're the bridge between worlds daily. 6. Healthy impatience ↳Not reckless rushing, but genuine discomfort with "because we've always done it this way." SMEs need people who itch to improve things. 7. Relationship memory ↳Remembering that Andrew's daughter plays piano, and that Serena hates early meetings. In small teams, these details matter more than you think. 8. Comfortable with incomplete information ↳"We need 100% clarity before moving" doesn't exist in SMEs. Can you make good decisions with 70% of the picture? 9. Energy management ↳Not time management. Energy. Knowing when to push hard and when to step back. Burnout helps nobody, especially in lean teams. 10. Graceful pivoting ↳ That project you spent three months on? Binned. New priority? Can you let go without drama and redirect that same enthusiasm? I've seen first-hand that the candidates who thrive aren't necessarily the most qualified on paper. But, often, they are the most adaptable in practice. What does 'getting it' mean to you? I'd love to know 👇 ♻️ Repost to help someone thrive in an SME 🔔 Follow Debbie Wyatt for real recruitment insights
‘Resourcefulness over resources’ is such a defining trait. In global teams, the ones who move, not moan, are the ones who lead, regardless of title.
Translation skills are really important when you are explaining to a founder why something can't be done and what can be done.
In SMEs, perfect clarity rarely exists the magic is in deciding confidently despite that.
I love this list Debbie Wyatt! It's a spot on description of the traits/skills required to swim in the sea of scale-up ambiguity!
Translation is a superpower — especially when you're helping a founder understand not just the no, but the why, and the what else. you are doing great 👏 Debbie Wyatt
I love this whole list. I can’t pick a favourite. Lots of traits that I’ve learnt and become more confident in over the years. It’s so important for the whole team to become comfortable with these now
This is really insightful Debbie Wyatt - thanks for sharing. I think the skills you describe are going to be more and more valuable, regardless of business size, over the next five or so years. With so much change happening at such a staggering pace, particularly in terms of AI and how fast that landscape is shifting - resourcefulness, the ability to move forward without all the info, manage the ambiguity and pivot as needed is so vital. What are the best ways of identifying those skills in candidates?
It's impressive how you’ve distilled what it truly means to 'get it' in the SME world, Debbie. Your insights on adaptability being the real game-changer resonate deeply. It’s refreshing to see such a nuanced approach to recruitment that prioritizes real-world skills over just credentials. I’m curious to hear more about any specific success stories that highlight these traits in action!
"This is spot on, Debbie. So many job seekers focus on titles and technical skills but overlook adaptability, curiosity, and emotional intelligence—exactly what SMEs thrive on. I especially love the point about 'healthy impatience'—it’s often the difference between maintaining the status quo and driving real growth. Great insights!"
thank you thank you thank you for your insights ❤️