Hire people not based on achievements but on situations

“How will you measure your life” is a wonderful book. 

Clayton Christensen (also the author of Innovator’s Dilemma and Innovator’s Solution) plays strong emphasis on context. Any solution / theory is of value only if the context is defined. If the context changes, the theory is not relevant and needs to be reformulated. 

Among other things in the book, there is a section on  building your career. And when you are looking for a role (or looking for someone to fill a role), the context is your experience. Your chances of success depends not on whether you have accomplished what the new role seeks to accomplish, but whether you have been in a situation similar to what the new role demands. 

A person who successfully doubled the sales of an established company does not fit into a role where he is expected to double the sales of a startup. Because his experience hasnt been in the same context! Someone led the sales team for a new product in a small company fits better - even if he wasn’t as successful at it.