A lot of the time, surroundings determine success.
A desert would not support a polar bear, but the Arctic might. Individuals are not any different. A person who thrives in one setting struggles in another.
When one understands how settings affect performance, hiring practices change. If success in one setting depends on the working circumstances, employees who do well in one may fail in another.
This is the reason it usually doesn't work to hire a superstar away from a rival without understanding how the environment affects performance.