Guess Less + Ask Sooner + No Free Rides
HIRE
Clarify Before You Post.
Hiring without alignment is like driving without a destination. You’ll waste time, money, and within three weeks everyone is pissed.
Better Way:
Define the role: What are they actually responsible for? Not a wishlist, just the core job.
Set expectations: What does good look like, realistically, day-to-day?
Measure success: Spell out what matters most and how it’ll be tracked.
Own onboarding: If no one’s driving it, your new hire will be lost.
If you skip this? Confusion, frustration, and regret are on their way.
LEAD
Ask Before You Need To.
Waiting until someone quits to figure out what mattered to them? Not leadership. That’s damage control.
Quality leaders check-in before there is a problem.
Try Asking:
What’s keeping you here?
What would make you leave?
Are you still growing, or just staying?
If they’re the right fit, invest in them. If not, help them transition respectfully.
GROW
A-Players Don’t Stick Around for C-Players.
Top performers want to be challenged and be surrounded with people who raise the bar.
If they’re covering for someone coasting, they’ll eventually burn out or bail.
What to Watch For:
Growth-minded people losing motivation
Passive performers staying comfortable
Low accountability getting ignored
A-players picking up everyone else’s slack
Your Move:
Coach people up or coach them out. Winning teams don't happen with dead weight.