Hiring is one of the most underestimated competitive advantages in startups, and one of the fastest ways to break a company.
In this episode, Michail Katkoff (Deconstructor of Fun), Joe Burridge (Head of Talent at Play Ventures), and Miki Blasko (Head of Talent at Deconstructor of Fun) break down what founders consistently get wrong about hiring, and how those mistakes quietly turn into culture, execution problems, and talent drain.
links: www.deconstructoroffun.com/talent
www.linkedin.com/in/joeburridge
www.linkedin.com/in/mikiblasko
We unpack:
- Why hiring is a founder-level strategic decision
- The myth that great talent “shows up” once funding is announced
- Culture vs. competence
- Why compensation alone doesn’t attract A-players
- The red flags of “corporate refugees” vs. true startup operators
- How weak hiring processes drive top performers away
- What successful founders do differently for the 10–20 hires
Chapterrs
01:00 The Challenges of Hiring in Startups
06:33 Understanding Compensation and Talent Attraction
16:10 Culture vs. Competence in Hiring
17:31 Identifying the Right Fit for Startups
23:13 The Role of Founders in Shaping Culture
30:43 Navigating the Unhinged Nature of Founders
40:06 Reality Distortion and Leadership
45:41 Challenges in Retaining Talent
51:13 Building an Employer Brand
53:25 Hiring Patterns for Success
61:24 Painful Hiring Mistakes
