Ben Horowitz on Executive Firing (and Hiring)

[@a16z]

Topics Covered: 00:00 - Post-product market fit 03:07 - When is it time to let someone go? 05:41 - When do you give someone a chance to grow into the role? 07:05- Let go or level? 09:27 - How do you have the tough conversation? 16:39 - Exit packages 18:40 - Setting a new leader up for success 24:27 - The importance of the first quick win 26:24 - The impact a new leader has on culture 32:52 - Common ways new leaders fail 37:35 - Closing thoughts

[@DTR89]

Do I have to be bald to work at a16z?

[@szymonpruszynski4496]

To even send a CV

[@joenapoli2473]

No, but you do have to be a comdian so don't bother applying..

[@mixtape-yd2sn]

Bald plus a slick shiny skull

[@dontwannabefound]

Props to ali for taking this convo it’s a tough one

[@mixtape-yd2sn]

Thoughts on succession planning? In December '23 two Databricks founders and one board member sold shares @ $65 in secondary markets amassing $32M each. This was disclosed in Tender Offer’s docs issued by Databricks in January ‘24. Looks like the management doesn’t care about the company or its employees anymore.

[@a16z]

What is the biggest issue you run into with hiring?

[@thebluriam]

I sometimes struggle with rooting out disingenuous people.

[@KyzaSaucer]

2 of the smartest chess players in the business

[@chrishorton7218]

Steph is good, quality content

[@daggerthree]

What qualifies as a quick win? Appropriate for an executive.

[@ru08al]

Ben's wisdom (as always)!

[@PapaSamo]

I loved this convo. So insightful.

[@breadthehead]

9:20 is the says the THING!!!!!

[@SamuelHauptmannvanDam]

Hold up: 16:40, you just encouraged infighting. That's bad. You are saying all execs are wolfs and you have to fight. I can accept people are players on teams and Michael Jordan wasn't nice around his teammates. But you are now dependent on Michael Jordan.

[@dontwannabefound]

Some uneasiness about lack of belief in plg

[@garageliftrunner]

This is so bad, you should donate every book to a recycling plant and delete your podcasts. How were you guys VCs like this for so long.

[@dontwannabefound]

This is hard to listen to