Hiring for Attitude:
    Our Philosophy of What Truly Matters

    At VPM Solutions, we believe something simple but powerful:

    Attitude beats résumé. Every time.

    Hiring for Attitude Hero

    That idea isn’t just a hiring philosophy — it’s the foundation of how we build our culture and choose our teammates. The concept was popularized by leadership expert Mark Murphy, author of Hiring for Attitude, who showed that the number one reason people fail in new roles isn't lack of skill — it's lack of attitude.

    People don’t typically get fired because they can’t code fast enough or write perfect emails — they fail because they can’t accept feedback, don’t adapt, or lack the grit to stick with challenges.

    Skills can be trained.         Mindsets are much harder to change.

    Hiring for Attitude Book Cover-01

    Why We Adopted This Philosophy

    We've interviewed and hired hundreds of people across roles, departments, and time zones. Through experience and observation, we've learned what separates the good from the truly great. It's not degrees, credentials, or work history — it's how people think, behave, and respond when things aren’t easy.

    This guide outlines the 15 key traits we consistently see in top performers — people who:

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    Thrive in remote environments

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    Handle feedback and change with grace

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    Take initiative and own outcomes

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    Push through when things get tough

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    Build trust and support their teams

    These traits aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re essential. They predict long-term success, culture fit, and the ability to grow with us.

    Whether you're:

    Star Icon Applying to join our team

    Star IconHiring for your own company

    Star IconTrying to understand what          makes a high performer tick

    This philosophy will help you spot, develop, and value the traits that matter most.

    The 15 Traits in Depth

    Icons_Accountable

    Accountable

    “You can count on me.”

    Accountability means owning results — even when no one is watching. These individuals don’t make excuses. They meet deadlines, admit mistakes, and never pass the blame. They’re the ones who double-check their work and apologize without being asked.

    What it looks like:

    • Owning errors and fixing them
    • Following up without reminders
    • Holding themselves to high standards
    Icons_Remote Work

    Aptitude for Remote Work

    “I don’t need to be micromanaged.”

    This person thrives independently. They structure their own day, communicate proactively, and balance life and work effectively. They don't need constant check-ins and are disciplined in keeping themselves productive and focused.

    What it looks like:

    • Overcommunicating progress
    • Using tools to stay organized
    • Staying connected without being in-person
    Icons_Change Ready

    Change Ready

    “Bring it on.”

    People with this trait stay calm in chaos. New software? New boss? New direction? They don't complain — they adapt. These are the team members who don’t just go with the flow; they help redirect it.

    What it looks like:

    • Eagerness to try new things
    • Flexibility when plans shift
    • Seeing uncertainty as growth, not threat
    Icons_Confidence

    Confidence

    “I trust myself to figure it out.”

    Confident people don’t need their hand held. They’re decisive, grounded, and calm — especially under pressure. They share ideas boldly and take ownership of decisions.

    What it looks like:

    • Speaking up in meetings
    • Making decisions with imperfect info
    • Asking for help without insecurity
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    Customer Service-Oriented

    “I want to help.”

    This person listens first, solves second. Whether supporting clients or teammates, they focus on making others feel heard and supported. They view every interaction as a chance to build trust.

    What it looks like:

    • Calm under customer pressure
    • Quick, kind, and complete responses
    • Solving the root of the issue, not just the surface
    Icons_EQ

    Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

    “I read the room before I speak.”

    EQ is about managing your own emotions — and tuning into others’. These people handle feedback gracefully, de-escalate tension, and support others through tough moments.

    What it looks like:

    • Pausing before reacting
    • Asking thoughtful questions
    • Building trust through empathy
    Icons_Grit

    Grit

    “I don’t quit just because it’s hard.”

    Gritty people power through when others give up. They have endurance — mentally, emotionally, and operationally. They’re fueled by long-term goals, not short-term applause.

    What it looks like:

    • Finishing the job despite obstacles
    • Staying motivated when results are slow
    • Bouncing back from rejection
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    Innovative

    “There’s got to be a better way.”

    These are your idea people. They challenge assumptions, question outdated processes, and look for smarter, faster, cheaper solutions. They’re creative and practical.

    What it looks like:

    • Suggesting new tools or approaches
    • Simplifying processes
    • Spotting small problems before they grow
    Icons_Learn-mistakes

    Learns from Mistakes

    “I own it and grow from it.”

    Everyone makes mistakes — but not everyone learns from them. These individuals reflect, adjust, and get better. They don’t let ego or shame get in the way of growth.

    What it looks like:

    • Admitting fault early
    • Sharing lessons learned
    • Changing behavior after feedback
    Icons_Optimism

    Optimism

    “We’ll figure it out.”

    Optimistic people uplift those around them. They expect good outcomes and focus on solutions, not problems. They stay hopeful even when the path gets steep.

    What it looks like:

    • Saying “let’s try” instead of “that won’t work”
    • Finding silver linings
    • Keeping morale high under pressure
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    Personal Leadership

    “I lead myself well.”

    Leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about self-mastery. These people set an example in how they communicate, show up, and handle adversity. They own their role fully.

    What it looks like:

    • Staying consistent and ethical
    • Leading projects without being asked
    • Taking responsibility for their impact
    Icons_Proactive

    Proactive

    “I solve problems before they happen.”

    Proactive team members don’t wait. They plan, anticipate, and act — without needing constant direction. They bring solutions, not just problems.

    What it looks like:

    • Sending status updates without being prompted
    • Raising flags early
    • Pitching improvements
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    Receptive to Feedback

    “Tell me how I can improve.”

    These individuals don’t take things personally. They crave input and want to know what’s working and what’s not. They’re coachable, humble, and constantly refining their craft.

    What it looks like:

    • Asking for feedback often
    • Adjusting without defensiveness
    • Applying feedback fast
    Icons_Self-Motivated

    Self-Motivated

    “I bring my own fire.”

    They don’t need deadlines or pep talks to perform. Self-motivated people take pride in their work and strive for excellence — whether or not someone is watching.

    What it looks like:

    • Setting personal goals
    • Overdelivering without pressure
    • Taking initiative without direction
    Icons_Teamwork

    Teamwork

    “We > Me.”

    Strong collaborators know that great outcomes come from great partnerships. They give credit, offer support, and work well across roles, backgrounds, and styles.

    What it looks like:

    • Active listening
    • Sharing resources and knowledge
    • Supporting team wins

    Trait Comparison Table

    Trait

    Core Focus

    Internal/External Typical Behavior
    Patterns
    Role Impact

    Accountable

    Ownership & reliability

    Internal

    Owns outcomes, no blame games

    Trustworthy execution

    Aptitude for Remote

    Self-discipline & independence

    Internal

    Manages time, no supervision needed

    Ideal for async & distributed work

    Change Ready

    Flexibility

    Internal

    Adapts fast, open to shifts

    Thrives in fast-changing environments

    Confidence

    Self-belief

    Internal

    Decisive, speaks up, trusts instincts

    Strong under pressure

    Customer Service

    Empathy & helpfulness

    External

    Supports others, goes above and beyond

    Client-facing excellence

    Emotional Intelligence

    Self and social awareness

    Both

    Manages emotion, de-escalates conflict

    Builds culture & connection

    Grit

    Long-term perseverance

    Internal

    Pushes through difficulty, doesn’t give up

    Delivers despite adversity

    Innovative

    Creative problem-solving

    Internal

    Improves systems, brings ideas

    Drives progress and efficiency

    Learns from Mistakes

    Growth mindset

    Internal

    Reflects, improves, takes notes from failure

    Continuous development

    Optimism

    Positive outlook

    Internal

    Encouraging, hopeful, forward-looking

    Team morale and resilience

    Personal Leadership

    Integrity & self-management

    Internal

    Leads without a title, high standards

    Culture anchor

    Proactive

    Anticipation & initiative

    Internal

    Acts early, prevents issues

    Keeps momentum going

    Receptive to Feedback

    Coachability

    Internal

    Asks for input, applies feedback

    High potential for growth

    Self-Motivated

    Drive and autonomy

    Internal

    Works without nudging, sets own pace

    High productivity

    Teamwork

    Collaboration

    External

    Shares credit, works well with others

    Synergy across departments