In the context of innovation intensive company: Maybe you want both. If you are absolutely sure you know what you need, then hire that skillset. Finding some

In the context of innovation intensive company: Maybe you want both. If you are absolutely sure you know what you need, then hire that skillset. Finding someone with the skillset is not hard. As someone mentioned earlier, this may also have some costs, as some developers may be confined in this box and unable to grow, or may want to move on elsewhere. It sounds to me you are looking for an environment where ideas and innovation flourish and maybe potential to help define and shape the company vision. Capabilities and potential I find more important — finding someone with this skillset I think is hard to find. I think if you are working on something cutting edge and innovative (yet to be seen by most of public), these good explorers will find you first.