Coffee tycoon Phillip Di Bella's hiring mantra: Look for attitude over skills

Coffee tycoon Phillip Di Bella hasn’t gone from barista to being on the BRW Young Rich list for four years running, without having a keen sense of business.

According to this upfront CEO, it isn’t just about your IQ but your EQ as well. “I believe the corporate world is changing and that it is not about IQ test any more but more about Emotional Intelligence,” the 42-year-old told ETPanache.

Apart from that, there are a few other factors Di Bella looks for when he’s hiring. He tells us, “I make sure to look for attitude before skill as I can teach skills but not attitude. Second, they need to have vision and clear ability to know where they are heading in their lives ; and lastly, accountability. Don’t blame others, take responsibility and action, and make magic happen.” How does a man who has over 900 employees spot talent? He puts it simply, “I look for the willingness to serve rather than sell.”