What was the biggest mistake you made in your startup?

I interviewed several talented engineers that fit the job description. Each interviewee had sent me a portfolio and had stellar resumes. As it was my first time being on this side of the interview table, I read up on different strategies and methods of asking questions and eventually choosing the best person for the job.

I learned about "culture fit" and "thinking 3 steps ahead" and "needing true entrepreneurs at all roles in your company". I found out that all of this was bullshit. At least for a first hire, anyway.

Long story short, I chose an engineer that (1) had the potential to move up in responsibility and role in the company, (2) fit the culture I was trying to establish, (3) was pretty talented in the skills I needed at the moment.

MY MISTAKES:

(1) How did I know he had the most potential to take on more responsibility? I made this judgement based on a few hours of interaction. A gut instinct sometimes works, but when it's your first hire, your gut instinct is meaningless.

(2) Fit the culture? What fucking culture? It was just two of us. A culture is created over a period of time with a community of people. A culture of excellence and being customer-centric is all that matters, personalities don't need to to mesh *perfectly* at day 1.

(3) He was not the most talented of the engineers I interviewed. This was my biggest mistake. Always -- always -- hire on talent first, everything else second. This is even more true at the beginning of your company's life.

                                                                                                             By

                                                                                        Nargis sultana, Futurist