I like how clearly you frame hiring as a network effect rather than a sourcing problem. That feels far closer to reality than most hiring advice aimed at early founders.
Great post. I wonder how this translates to first time founders or even small business owners. The ability to "judge character" and pick the right people seem to be mythologized to some degree, but I'm sure there's a process to it.
I’d argue the process is determined by how the founder fits establishes or lives their values. This trickles into taste, velocity, capital, and values. Each is a determinant of how the founder leads & perceives the future makeup of the company, and the aggregate determines the profile of the candidate you attract/want to attract
It’s a reminder that hiring is as strategic as product or fundraising, especially when traction is still nascent.
Have to refine & iterate on hiring great people as much as you do with a product. Very true.
And that’s the trap - it’s a thing you you think you can fix later with more money, but that can be too late.
I like how clearly you frame hiring as a network effect rather than a sourcing problem. That feels far closer to reality than most hiring advice aimed at early founders.
It’s true! The “a players hire a players” cliche is tired but true. Smart people want to be in a room with people smarter than them.
Yep, Chris nailed it! 💪🏻
Great post. I wonder how this translates to first time founders or even small business owners. The ability to "judge character" and pick the right people seem to be mythologized to some degree, but I'm sure there's a process to it.
I’d argue the process is determined by how the founder fits establishes or lives their values. This trickles into taste, velocity, capital, and values. Each is a determinant of how the founder leads & perceives the future makeup of the company, and the aggregate determines the profile of the candidate you attract/want to attract
I see. Basically, to have good hires, your startup needs to have, live, and advocate for strong values, as well, along with everything else.
That’s the tricky part, for a first time founder with reputation or capital, this can be trap, unless they themselves have a good network.
Prices Law + First Followers... It's not a + it's a multiplier 📈 choose well
This becomes so much more relevant for AI startups when the headcount is squeezed further and who ends up working early is so much more important!
And if you throw in AI assistance in the game too, great first hires become a force multiplier 🔥
100 percent!