What is one key trait you look for when building a marketing team as a CMO? What experience has taught you the importance of this trait in a CMO role?

Question

Discover the essential traits that set apart successful marketing teams, as informed by industry experts. This article dives into the heart of what makes a marketing team adaptable, innovative, and strategically curious. Learn from the best on how to shape a team that not only meets the demands of the ever-evolving market but thrives in it.

Noel Griffith · Answer

When building a marketing team, one key trait I prioritize is adaptability. Marketing is constantly evolving, and I've learned that team members who can pivot quickly and embrace change are invaluable.
In a previous role, I led a team through a major digital transformation. Midway, a key social platform changed its algorithms, drastically impacting our campaign performance. One team member stood out—she immediately researched the changes, proposed adjustments, and restructured our strategy to maintain engagement and ROI. Her ability to adapt not only salvaged the campaign but also inspired the rest of the team to think proactively.
This experience taught me that skills can be trained, but the willingness to adapt is a mindset. When hiring, I ask candidates about situations where they've navigated unexpected challenges and look for examples of creativity and resilience. My advice to other CMOs: prioritize adaptability to build a team that thrives in dynamic environments. It's the foundation for sustained success in today's ever-changing marketing landscape.

Tom Sargent · Answer

When building a marketing team, I look for people who work well together and thrive in a culture that amplifies their natural abilities. Collaboration and curiosity are essential traits. A team that actively learns from one another and steps outside their comfort zones will consistently outperform one filled with siloed specialists.
Experience has taught me that the best teams aren't just a collection of talented individuals. Marketing is broad, touching everything from creative design to analytics. When your team members feel empowered to explore areas beyond their immediate responsibilities, they start to connect the dots between those disciplines. For example, a copywriter who develops an interest in analytics might spot patterns in performance data that shape better campaigns. Similarly, a designer who dabbles in SEO might create visuals that drive more traffic.
The key is creating an environment where curiosity is encouraged and mistakes are treated as learning opportunities. If people feel boxed into rigid roles, they won't take the initiative to experiment or grow. But when they see that their contributions outside their primary area are valued, they'll push themselves to learn and contribute more.
As a CMO, your job is to foster this kind of culture. It starts with hiring people who are open-minded and adaptable, not just technically skilled. During interviews, I ask candidates about times they've collaborated across departments or taken on responsibilities outside their usual role. Their answers often reveal whether they're likely to thrive in a collaborative, curiosity-driven environment.
The payoff is huge. When team members learn from each other and bring fresh perspectives to the table, the work gets better. Campaigns are more innovative. Strategies are more cohesive. And morale improves because people feel valued not just for their roles but for their ideas.
Of course, this approach has challenges. Not everyone will naturally embrace curiosity or collaboration. Some people prefer staying in their lane, and that's fine, but they may not thrive in this kind of culture.
In marketing, success depends on creativity and adaptability. A team that works well together, learns from each other, and isn't afraid to explore outside their comfort zones will consistently deliver better results. If you can build that kind of team, you'll win not just as a CMO but as an organization.

Eugene Mischenko · Answer

One key trait I prioritize when building a marketing team as a CMO is **adaptability**. The marketing landscape evolves rapidly, with new technologies, platforms, and consumer behaviors emerging constantly. A team member who is adaptable can embrace these changes, learn quickly, and pivot strategies when necessary without losing focus on overarching goals.
My experience leading a marketing transformation during a digital overhaul reinforced the importance of adaptability. When the company shifted from traditional marketing methods to a fully integrated digital strategy, the team faced a steep learning curve. Those who thrived during this transition were not necessarily the most experienced but were the ones willing to experiment, acquire new skills, and think creatively under pressure.
For example, when launching a new product in a competitive space, we needed to pivot from a planned content-heavy approach to a highly targeted performance marketing campaign due to shifting consumer expectations. The success of this shift hinged on team members who quickly embraced data analytics tools, collaborated cross-functionally, and devised innovative strategies to meet tight deadlines. Their adaptability directly contributed to a campaign that exceeded revenue targets by 30%.
This experience underscored that in the role of a CMO, where change is the only constant, building a team that thrives in ambiguity and views challenges as opportunities is critical to achieving long-term success. Adaptable team members not only excel in their current roles but also grow with the organization, ensuring the marketing function remains agile and forward-thinking.

Aman Chopra · Answer

When I'm hiring people for my marketing team, I look for people with "strategic curiosity," which means they want to learn more about new trends, study them, and see how they fit with my business goals. This way of thinking has changed everything for Stallion Express, especially when it comes to handling America's tough eCommerce shipping market.
One case stands out. When shipping costs were going up and cutting into our profits, someone on the marketing team suggested using data analytics to give clients route-optimization information as an added value. This new method, which came from being curious and thinking strategically, not only made relationships with clients stronger, but it also led to a 12% rise in contract renewals.
To be strategically curious, you need to do more than just watch trends. You need to see the connections between opportunities and outcomes. I learned that this trait encourages creative problem-solving and makes marketing efforts more resilient, so teams can change with the times and still make an impact.

Vikrant Bhalodia · Answer

If there's one trait we prioritize when building a marketing team, it's adaptability. Marketing is ever-changing, and what works today might not work tomorrow. We learned this firsthand during a product launch when a key platform suddenly changed its algorithm. Our original campaign strategy was no longer viable.
One of our team members, who embraced adaptability, quickly pivoted, found new opportunities, and helped salvage the campaign. That experience reinforced how essential flexibility is in a fast-paced marketing environment.
When hiring, we often ask candidates to share examples of how they've adjusted their approach in the face of unexpected challenges. It's a simple but effective way to gauge problem-solving skills and mindset. Flexibility doesn't just help a marketer thrive, it ensures the entire team succeeds.

Ben Schreiber · Answer

Adaptability is a very important quality I look for when assembling a marketing team. Rapid changes in platform algorithms, ephemeral trends, and shifting consumer behavior are all part of the marketing landscape. A valuable team member is one who can adapt, adopt new technology, and try out novel concepts.
I know from experience how important this quality is. At Latico Leathers, we relied heavily on wholesale partnerships early in my career, but as digital marketing gained traction, we had to shift our focus to e-commerce and direct-to-consumer strategies. During that transition, team members who were flexible and willing to learn new digital tools were pivotal in helping us grow from six to seven figures in revenue annually.
Rather than just reacting to change, being flexible entails thriving in ambiguity and persistently pursuing new opportunities. It is the mindset I admire the most when it comes to building a strong, forward-thinking marketing team.

Gerti Mema · Answer

When building a marketing team, the main trait I look for is adaptability. Marketing is constantly changing, and the ability to pivot in response to new challenges or opportunities is necessary. I've learned that it's not just about having people who are skilled, but also those who can embrace change, learn quickly, and apply fresh ideas to solve problems.
A few years ago, when we were navigating a major change in digital marketing trends, we had to rework our entire strategy. The team's ability to adjust and adopt new tools and platforms helped us not just stay relevant, but thrive. Those who were flexible and eager to learn turned out to be the ones who contributed the most to the success of that transition. Their openness to trying new things without fear of failure is vital in pushing the business forward.

Vukasin Ilic · Answer

Hey there,
At Digital Media Lab, I learned that curiosity beats skill sets every time. I stopped looking at résumés and started watching how candidates ask questions during interviews.
Last spring, I hired someone who had less marketing experience than other applicants. What caught my attention the most is that during our chat about a recent campaign, she spotted a pattern in our data that everyone else had missed.
She asked smart questions about why certain ads performed better with specific age groups.
That hire changed my whole team's dynamic.
She turned a routine client report into a breakthrough when she dug deeper into their customer behavior data. Her questions led to finding that their best customers came from LinkedIn, not Facebook where they spent most of their budget. This insight helped the client double their ROI.
Now I focus my interviews on giving candidates real problems to solve. The ones who light up and start asking detailed questions are the ones who usually end up driving real results.
Let me know if this helps or if you need more insights. Here are my personal details in case you decide to credit me:Name: Vukasin IlicPosition: CEO of Digital Media LabWebsite: https://digitalmedialab.io/Headshot: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jZV4dV2qjvutg9MsdUf2bvlxI17jrXxF/view?usp=sharing

Georgi Petrov · Answer

One key trait I look for when building a marketing team as a CMO is adaptability. In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, having team members who can quickly pivot and embrace new strategies, tools, or market shifts is crucial. The ability to adapt ensures the team remains effective and agile, especially in a fast-paced environment where trends and technologies change rapidly.
My experience has taught me the importance of this trait during a campaign for a client in the e-commerce sector. We had a well-laid-out strategy that was working well initially, but in mid-campaign, a competitor launched a major promotion that changed the market dynamics. Instead of sticking to the original plan, we quickly pivoted, leveraging new trends and insights to adjust our approach. This required the entire team to stay flexible and quickly execute changes in targeting, creatives, and messaging. The result was a 15% increase in conversions despite the new competition, highlighting how adaptability can turn challenges into opportunities.
Through this experience, I learned that a successful marketing team doesn't just follow a rigid plan; they are able to adjust based on real-time data, market shifts, and evolving customer needs. For a CMO, fostering a team that thrives on adaptability can make all the difference in driving sustained success.

Fahad Khan · Answer

When building a marketing team, I prioritize candidates with sharp analytical thinking. This trait ensures they can sift through data, spot patterns, and translate them into actionable strategies.   I learned this lesson the hard way during an early campaign that relied more on gut feelings than numbers. We assumed we understood the audience and shaped our messaging accordingly. The campaign flopped. Post-mortem analysis revealed that we had misjudged the audience's preferences entirely.   Since then, I've focused on hiring marketers who value numbers as much as creativity. Analytical thinkers ensure campaigns are backed by data, improving precision and outcomes. This shift has consistently helped our team craft strategies that resonate with the right audience and drive measurable results.

Justin Belmont · Answer

Curiosity. The best marketers aren't just doing what worked last quarter—they're constantly asking, 'What if we tried this instead?' I once hired someone who had zero experience with paid ads but had a knack for digging into analytics and spotting patterns. They ended up uncovering a tiny, untapped audience segment that turned into one of our highest-performing campaigns. That taught me to prioritize curiosity over a perfect resume—skills can be learned, but the drive to explore and experiment is what keeps your marketing fresh and ahead of the curve.

Benjamin Tom · Answer

In my experience, the ability to identify and act on micro-trends is a key trait for any marketing team. Small shifts in consumer behavior often reveal untapped opportunities that can significantly boost performance. For example, during a recent campaign, we noticed that interest in off-peak electricity plans spiked by 12% in just one week. By pivoting quickly to highlight these plans in ads and landing pages, the team increased lead generation by 18% over the next month. Marketers who can spot these trends early and capitalize on them drive better results and maintain a competitive edge.
I believe this skill also promotes efficiency by focusing efforts on high-impact strategies. In my case, when we identified a sudden increase in searches for solar installation rebates, the team adjusted their content to address this interest, leading to a 20% rise in click-through rates. Micro-trends often hold the key to engaging consumers at the right moment, and teams that act swiftly can turn these insights into significant wins. For fast-paced industries, this kind of responsiveness is essential to staying ahead.

Kate Colbert · Answer

I coach CMOs -- many of whom struggle to hire, train, inspire, and retain great teams. Time and time again, I help marketing leaders communicate firmly and fairly with employees who need to be managed out of a team, and inevitably, these low performers have one thing in common: They lack humility. Whether it's an entry-level professional or a seasoned expert, an employee whose ego or arrogance precedes them can become a lightning rod for conflict within a marketing team. But when you hire for (and then nurture and reward) open-mindedness, curiosity, collaborative spirit, compassion, and teachability -- all the elements of humility -- you build a team that can grow together, support one another, share achievements and struggles, and innovate beyond the wildest imaginations of the organization and the marketplace. Hire for humility, and never have to fire anyone ever again.

Macy Troyer · Answer

Adaptability is game-changing for us at Goaldy, especially when market trends shift suddenly like they did during the pandemic. I learned this firsthand when our team had to pivot from in-person event marketing to digital campaigns within days, and those who could quickly learn new tools and strategies were the ones who helped us maintain our momentum.

Gaurav Rawool · Answer

One key trait I look for when building a marketing team is adaptability. Marketing is a fast-changing field, with trends, technologies, and consumer behavior constantly evolving. A team member who can adapt quickly and embrace change can help the entire team stay ahead of the curve.
Experience has taught me the importance of this trait when I've seen marketing plans that were perfect on paper fail because the team couldn't pivot quickly when market dynamics shifted. For example, during a product launch at my previous company, unexpected competitor activity forced us to rethink our strategy overnight. The team members who thrived were those who could adjust, think on their feet, and execute with urgency. Their adaptability not only saved the campaign but also made it more impactful than originally planned. It reinforced how vital this trait is for success in any marketing role.

Adnan Jiwani · Answer

The key trait I look for when building a marketing team is adaptability. In today's fast-paced market, things change quickly—whether it's new technology, shifting consumer behavior, or unexpected challenges. A team member who can think on their feet, pivot when necessary, and stay open to new ideas is essential.
My experience has shown me that adaptability is critical, especially during times of change. For example, when the pandemic hit, our team had to rapidly adjust our marketing strategies to fit the new environment. Some members thrived by quickly embracing digital tools and new ways of working, while others struggled. That taught me the importance of having a team that can stay flexible and keep moving forward even in uncertainty.

Praveen Kumar · Answer

Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution ability is essential, which I discovered when building my digital marketing team at Wild Creek Web Studio. After hiring several "big picture" thinkers who struggled with implementation, I now look for people who can both develop creative strategies and roll up their sleeves to make them happen.

Kate Donskaia · Answer

The one trait I always look for is adaptability. Marketing moves fast, and what worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. A team member who can pivot without skipping a beat is invaluable. I've seen projects thrive because someone was quick to rethink a strategy when results dipped, and that kind of mindset can save campaigns.
In my experience, working with people who embrace change keeps the energy alive. At WealthProtector, we had to shift messaging when behavior unexpectedly changed. The team members who stayed calm and adjusted fast delivered results. Hiring people who can think on their feet will always be my priority.

Dylan Young · Answer

One key trait I look for when building a marketing team is adaptability. The digital marketing landscape, especially in the health and wellness niche, evolves rapidly, with new platforms, trends, and customer behaviors emerging constantly. In my experience leading teams, those who can quickly pivot strategies without losing sight of long-term goals drive the most impactful results. I've seen campaigns fail because teams clung too rigidly to outdated tactics, while adaptable marketers found creative solutions to reach customers effectively. Although I'm not a CMO, my time managing teams has taught me that adaptability fosters innovation, resilience, and sustained growth in a competitive market.

Tracie Crites · Answer

Curiosity is the trait I prioritize most when building a marketing team. I've learned that people who are naturally curious are the ones who dig deeper, ask the right questions, and seek out creative solutions instead of settling for the status quo. Marketing requires constant innovation, and curiosity fuels that process.
Curiosity drives people to uncover insights that others might miss. As a CMO, I've found that having a team full of curious minds solves problems faster and also creates a dynamic environment where everyone is constantly learning and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve.

Jessica Andrews · Answer

The one key trait I look for is adaptability. Marketing is evolving rapidly. Using the same tactics and strategy year after year will not give you the same results.
For example, in a previous role, I worked with content marketers who continued to use the same old school process for content: write a blog, optimize for keywords, publish, post link on social, repeat. They weren't willing to try writing zero-click social content, create videos, write thought leadership, or try any other emerging trends that were showing promising results.
It's important for the entire marketing team to be adaptable and experimental at all times, and be willing to work together to try new things to stand out.

Brenton Thomas · Answer

One key trait I always look for when building a marketing team is adaptability. The marketing world changes rapidly, and having a team that can quickly adjust and embrace new trends and technologies is crucial. My experience has shown that adaptable teams are great at tackling challenges and making the most of new opportunities, which keeps our brand ahead of the competition.
This became especially clear during a shift to digital-focused strategies, where our team's ability to quickly learn and use new digital tools made a big difference. It's why I place such a high value on adaptability in our marketing team.

Shane McEvoy · Answer

I prioritize resilience—the ability to recover and learn from failed campaigns. For example, after a campaign didn't do well, one of our marketers led a meeting to determine what went wrong. Instead of blaming anyone, they focused on lessons that could improve future campaigns. Resilience helps create a culture of growth and learning within the team.

Lesly Jean-Baptiste · Answer

When building a marketing team, I focus on adaptability. The digital landscape, particularly with AI-driven marketing solutions, changes rapidly. At Team Genius Marketing, we've accepted this by continuously training our team to use the Genius Growth SystemTM, which allows them to pivot quickly in response to market changes.For example, when we developed our Genius PPC AdsTM, adaptability was critical. Our team had to learn to use AI tools that analyze campaigns in real time, ensuring each ad dollar spent was optimized. This approach led to a 40% reduction in wasted ad spend for our clients, demonstrating the direct ROI of having a team that's flexible and quick to adapt.My experience has shown that adaptability isn't just about changing tactics; it's about understanding emerging technologies and integrating them into our strategies. The rapid success of our AI-powered CRM system, Genius CRMTM, came from a team willing to learn and experiment with new technologies. This adaptability has allowed us to consistently stay ahead in the competitive marketing landscape.

Kerry Anderson · Answer

When building a marketing team, I look for individuals who possess a high level of adaptability. In the world of digital marketing, where algorithms and consumer behaviors shift rapidly, adaptability ensures the team can pivot quickly and effectively to maintain and improve performance. At RankingCo, I've seen this trait lead to innovative solutions, like when our team integrated AI tools to improve our digital strategies, significantly improving client campaign results in evolving markets.
This adaptability was vital when a client in the retail sector faced sudden market changes due to a competitor's aggressive pricing strategy. Our team's agile approach allowed us to quickly reallocate budget resources and optimize Google Ads campaigns, resulting in a 40% increase in the client's return on ad spend (ROAS) over three months. This example highlights how adaptation not only addresses immediate challenges but also leverages opportunities for significant revenue growth.
I value adaptability as it complements innovation-consistently a core part of my leadership and strategic approach. It enables team members to not only react to change but proactively drive it, pushing the boundaries of digital marketing effectiveness. Such dynamic capability in building strategies that align with current trends ensures sustained success in competitive environments.

25 Traits to Look for When Building a Marketing Team

25 Traits to Look for When Building a Marketing Team

Prioritize Adaptability in Marketing Teams

Foster Collaboration and Curiosity

Adaptability Ensures Marketing Success

Encourage Strategic Curiosity

Flexibility is Key in Marketing

Adaptability Drives Revenue Growth

Embrace Change for Marketing Success

Curiosity Beats Skill Sets

Adaptability Leads to Campaign Success

Hire Analytical Thinkers

Prioritize Curiosity Over Experience

Identify and Act on Micro-Trends

Hire for Humility

Adaptability Maintains Momentum

Adaptability is Crucial for Marketing

Adaptability is Essential in Marketing

Combine Strategy with Execution

Embrace Adaptability for Marketing Success

Adaptability Fosters Innovation

Prioritize Curiosity in Marketing Teams

Adaptability is Key in Marketing

Adaptability Ensures Marketing Success

Prioritize Resilience in Marketing Teams

Adaptability Reduces Ad Spend

Adaptability Drives Digital Marketing Success