Hire slowly, fire quickly. But always with empathy.
— Ayman Al-Abdullah
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.
