Introduction: Are You Hiring Wrong?
By Amir Raveh
February 12, 2026
In the rapidly evolving landscape of hiring, the difference between winning and falling behind will be defined by the AI Fitness of your personnel. This paradigm shift necessitates a reevaluation of the criteria we use to identify and nurture talent.
The Shift in Hiring Expectations
A senior executive from a Premier League club shared a pivotal insight: previously, hiring a content specialist or a Photoshop expert required specific knowledge and expertise. Today, that is no longer enough. The expectation has shifted to AI Fitness, encompassing:
- The ability to learn continuously
- The discipline to improve constantly
- The mindset to build new capabilities
This is the new standard expected of managers and leaders alike.
Inside Organizations: A Reality Check
Many teams are working harder than ever with more meetings, tools, and activities, yet output is not increasing at the same pace. Decisions take longer, and execution slows down. While some organizations are still debating AI, others are already operating differently. The gap is not coming; it is here.
Three Types of Employees
- AI Native: Multiplies performance using AI daily.
- AI Aware: Uses AI occasionally with partial impact.
- AI Resistant: Continues working as before.
This operational gap is widening, underscoring the need for adaptability and innovation.
Understanding AI Fitness
AI Fitness transcends mere familiarity with tools like ChatGPT or Copilot. It is a performance layer focused on:
- How swiftly someone learns
- How consistently they upgrade their capabilities
- How effectively they use AI to amplify output
- How they adapt under constant change
This is not just a technical shift; it is a profound performance transformation.
Characteristics of AI-Fit Employees
AI-fit employees are easily identifiable. They solve problems faster, use AI to think rather than just automate, and upgrade workflows without waiting for instructions. They produce more output in less time by operating at a different pace and level.
The Uncomfortable Truth
Many organizations believe the challenge lies in hiring better people. Often, the real challenge is in:
- How performance is measured
- How talent is evaluated
- How learning is embedded
- How leaders themselves adapt
The shift emerges internally, with some already using AI daily without a clear framework or standard.
Evolving the Executive Hiring Framework
The hiring model has evolved. Traditional metrics like titles, years of experience, and hours worked have given way to:
- Learning speed
- Ability to use AI to create measurable output
- Judgment when working with AI
- Capability to continuously upgrade skills
- Output thinking over task execution
The 3 Critical Hiring Mistakes in the Age of AI
- Hiring for Tools Instead of Thinking: Tools change fast. Thinking compounds.
- Confusing AI Usage with AI Performance: Using AI does not equal impact.
- Hiring for Experience Instead of Learning Speed: In a fast-changing environment, learning speed beats past experience.
Hiring for AI Fitness
When evaluating a candidate, consider:
- Mindset: Are they curious and self-learning?
- AI Capability: Do they use AI in daily work?
- Thinking: Do they ask better questions?
- Performance: Do they work faster and upgrade processes?
- Adaptability: Do they evolve under change?
If your team lacks several of these traits, the gap will grow.
Why AI Fitness Matters in Sports Organizations
Sports organizations operate under pressure with tight timelines and constant competition. In this environment, AI Fitness is about execution, not technology. It leads to faster decisions, sharper workflows, higher output, and a stronger operational edge.
The gap between organizations will not be defined by budget, but by the AI Fitness of their people.
Conclusion: Final Thoughts
This is not only about employees. Leaders must redefine:
- How performance is measured
- How talent is evaluated
- How teams are built
- How learning becomes part of daily work
Organizations that adapt will move faster, while those that do not will often realize it too late.
In the coming years, the difference will not be who works harder, but who adapts faster.
AI Fitness is no longer a competitive advantage. It is the new baseline for performance.
With love for sport and innovation,
CEO, HYPE Sports Innovation
