This clip advises founders and hiring leaders that top engineers prefer to work for outstanding engineering leaders. It recommends hiring leaders who attract top talent—verifying candidates by speaking with their former hires and asking for references who are "off the charts"—to build an agile, high-performing team.
The best engineers want to work for the best engineering leaders. The best. They really want to work for the best. And so if somehow, like if you're trying to find a co founder, or if you have a co founder, you're trying to find a VP of engineering, don't just hire Mr. Nice, don't just hire Mr. Google. It's not enough. Hire someone that the best engineers would love to work for. Interview two of her hires, ask her for two engineers that she could bring with you from her last job and see if they're wicked smart. See if they're off the charts. Good. And then you will be able to build an agile team.
