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
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.
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.
![Lessons from a Large Founding Team [Entire Talk]](/img/1.gif)
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
Do I have to be bald to work at a16z?
To even send a CV
No, but you do have to be a comdian so don't bother applying..
Bald plus a slick shiny skull
Props to ali for taking this convo it’s a tough one
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.
Steph is good, quality content
Ben's wisdom (as always)!
I loved this convo. So insightful.
What qualifies as a quick win? Appropriate for an executive.
9:20 is the says the THING!!!!!
2 of the smartest chess players in the business
What is the biggest issue you run into with hiring?
I sometimes struggle with rooting out disingenuous people.
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.
Some uneasiness about lack of belief in plg
This is hard to listen to
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.