Smart-and-gets-things-done is a hiring heuristic: the only two things that matter are reasoning ability (understanding complex systems, debugging novel problems, learning domains) and execution (actually shipping work). All other criteria are proxies for these or irrelevant.

Over-structured hiring focuses on abstract reasoning puzzles: a developer might pass algorithmic interviews and system design rounds but never ship anything. The failure mode is smart-and-vapid: articulate, intelligent, full of ideas, but produces no output. Ideas are good; execution never materialises.

Interview for demonstrated output instead of abstract reasoning alone. Ask about specific things candidates built, decisions they made, and tradeoffs they navigated. A portfolio of shipped work proves both smartness and execution simultaneously.