Arrogance is a career killer, according to Cisco's Sarah Walker, who prioritizes personality and a willingness to learn over experience. She believes humility and continuous development are crucial for advancement at all levels. Walker emphasizes that positive attitude and energy are unteachable qualities, making them invaluable in hiring. Growth potential trumps current skills for success.

A positive attitude might be more valuable than your resume, but there's one trait that can instantly derail your career prospects at any level: arrogance. Sarah Walker, Cisco's UK and Ireland managing director who spent 25 years climbing the corporate ladder at BT before joining the tech giant, has identified this as her biggest hiring red flag—and warns that resting on past achievements won't cut it in today's workplace."I can't stand arrogance. Be confident, but have a level of humility," Walker told Fortune. While she actively seeks out candidates with positive attitudes, engagement, and energy—qualities she believes can't be taught—excessive ego remains an instant dealbreaker regardless of experience level.

Why personality beats skills and experience in hiring process

Walker's hiring philosophy prioritizes personality over pedigree, especially for entry-level positions. "It's more about the person first and foremost than it is about skills or experience," she explained.

The 45-year-old executive believes that while technical abilities become increasingly important in specialist roles, someone with the right attitude and willingness to learn can still secure a position over more experienced candidates."You don't need to be the finished article to be promoted, but we need to know that you are in a position where within a reasonable timeframe, you'll have invested the time to upskill and develop," Walker added, emphasizing that growth potential matters more than current capabilities.

Humility and continuous learning essential for career growth

Walker's anti-arrogance stance applies equally to senior positions. "You can't rest on your laurels because you've done something well in the past, you need to be thinking about what's the next great thing that you'll do," she stressed. "Even at my level, you have to be open to the fact that there's lots more yet to learn and grow and adapt."This philosophy aligns with her Cisco predecessor David Meads, who told Fortune that "EQ is at least as important as IQ" when evaluating talent, noting he sees "no difference in terms of the capability" between candidates with or without degrees.