My employer is hiring a programmer - more specifically, I am interviewing and selecting the person who will fill the position.

The best candidate right now is far more qualified than I am, older, and a lot more experienced.

Other people I've talked to have said that hiring someone more qualified than myself is a really bad idea (my family included).  And I get the feeling that other technical staff here have a similar attitude (considering that this applicant is also more qualified than they are).

They're saying, or thinking, that hiring someone better qualified is going to hurt my and my current colleague's efforts to move up in the company, or are afraid that a Johnny-come-lately is going to steal the spotlight and current staff will be left behind as promotions are given out and new positions open up.

Personally I'd love to work with this applicant, and learn from them.  I'm confident enough in myself to not be afraid that someone new and more experienced is going to come in and start making me look bad.  I'd like to use this as an opportunity to grow, and I don't think that being afraid of competition or of new people like this is rational or beneficial.

Or maybe I'm just being naive.

What do you think?  And have you ever had an experience similar to this?  How did it work out for you?

I was in your exact situation recently. My company wanted to hire another programmer and I specifically wanted someone with more experience than me so I could continue to learn and grow.

I was most nervous about the Interviews, so asked a question on here. 

To summarize, ask  questions you know the answer to, are related to problems you have, or are problems you solved in the past. Don't try to ask questions that are out of your depth. Be honest if the interviewee starts talking in terms you don't understand and ask him/her to explain them to you. Afterall, the person you hire will be working with you and you'll want someone who can mentor you.

It turned out great. We hired someone with way more experience and knowledge than me and I feel I am learning a lot.

I would say it's a win-win situation for you. Worst case scenario is the person you hire takes your job, and you've gained valuable knowledge working with them.
