Curiosity > credentials. Rich DiTieri's life and career were transformed by a “weird little club of curious misfits.” Use these lessons to build the greatest team you’ve ever known.
In a recent episode of LaunchPod, my long-time friend Rich shared some powerful insights about his journey as an entrepreneur and product leader, from founder to leader, to founder again, and now product leader at EF Education First.
His insight: the best teams are built on curiosity, passion, and (probably most importantly) the willingness to be a little weird.
Back in college, Rich ran a music venue with a group of other creative misfits. Collaborating with a group that was hyper-curious and obsessed with music, art, and making things happen shaped the way Rich approached his career and how he leads today.
Here’s what I learned from Rich about adopting the “weird little club” framework for building teams. 👇
1️⃣ Hire for curiosity, not just credentials
The best teammates are those who dive deep, ask questions, and never stop learning. Credentials are nice, but passion and curiosity are what drive real impact.
Rich calls himself “addicted to curiosity and allergic to apathy.” He believes that the best teams are filled with people who are always learning, exploring, and pushing boundaries.
🤩 How to apply this: When hiring, ask candidates what they’re obsessing over right now. Look for a spark, not just qualifications.
2️⃣ Empower people to care
When people genuinely care about the impact they’re making, collaboration feels natural — even when the work gets tough.
⚔️ How to apply this: Build teams of people who care about the mission. When everyone is aligned, collaboration feels natural—even when it’s hard.
3️⃣ Celebrate the crazy ideas
You have to be a little crazy to go from good to great. Obsession drives people to build amazing things.
🏋️♂️ How to apply this: Encourage passion and creativity, even if it’s unconventional. The best ideas come from people who push boundaries.
4️⃣ Find where you fit — or create it
Earlier in his career, Rich worked as a consultant at a Big 4 consulting firm, where he felt his curiosity and energy didn’t match the culture, so he moved on. When he found his people in the Boston startup ecosystem, work became fun–and success came naturally.
🚧 How to apply this: If you feel stuck or stagnant, it might be a sign you’re in the wrong room. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you.
🔑 Takeaways
Your “weird little club” isn’t just a career hack—it’s the foundation of great teams. Passion, curiosity, and collaboration are what make work fun and turn good ideas into great outcomes.
What’s one way you’ve found (or built) your own “weird little club”?
