Hiring and firing advice

Ever hang on to a bad hire too long? Or rush to fill a seat that should’ve stayed empty? Ayman Al-Abdullah’s advice nails it: “Hire slowly, fire quickly. But always with empathy.”

Why It Works

• Hiring impacts culture more than any ad campaign.
• Slow hiring = time to test fit, not just skill.
• Quick firing = less cultural rot.
• Empathy = keeps your reputation and morale intact.

Real-World Examples

• Zappos offers new hires $2,000 to quit early, filtering out half-hearted fits.
• Netflix uses a strict “keeper test”: if they wouldn’t fight to keep you, you’re out.
• Basecamp keeps teams small, hiring only when it hurts—so every hire matters.