Shopify COO: 'X-Shaped' Employees Thrive

Shopify's Chief Operating Officer, Jess Hertz, has described her ideal employee as 'X-shaped', having multiple spikes of expertise and being able to absorb complex concepts and learn new skills quickly. This shift in approach is driven by the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace, which is changing the model of employee expertise.

Hertz explained that X-shaped employees have multiple areas of expertise, rather than deep knowledge in just one area. This is a departure from the previous idea of a 'T-shaped person', which referred to someone with broad capabilities but deep expertise in one area. Shopify had previously embraced this concept, but AI is now pushing the company towards X-shaped employees.

The use of AI at Shopify is not optional, with CEO Tobi Lütke mandating its use and incorporating questions about AI use into performance reviews. This shift towards X-shaped employees may have significant implications for how companies assemble teams, with team composition and the intersection of different shaped people becoming more important.

As companies enter the AI era, the ability to absorb complex concepts and learn new skills quickly will become increasingly valuable. Hertz joined Shopify in 2021 as general counsel and became COO in 2025, bringing a unique perspective to the company's approach to employee expertise.

## What it means for teams The shift towards X-shaped employees will require companies to rethink their approach to team assembly. Rather than focusing on individual expertise, companies will need to consider how different shaped people can work together effectively. This may involve creating teams with a mix of X-shaped, T-shaped, and other types of employees, to leverage their unique strengths and expertise.

## Why it matters The increasing use of AI in the workplace is driving a fundamental shift in the way companies approach employee expertise. As AI takes over routine and repetitive tasks, employees will need to develop new skills and adapt to new technologies quickly. X-shaped employees, with their multiple spikes of expertise, will be well-positioned to thrive in this environment. Companies that can attract and retain these employees will be better equipped to succeed in the AI era.