I will never forget the day that I brought 25 of my employees into a room and said, “If you are in this room, you no longer have a job.” It was awful. I took full responsibility but it was the worst thing that I’ve been through as a founder.
We ramped up too quickly, it was my fault and just a terrible experience that I wouldn’t wish on any founder or business owner.
So, what did I learn from it?
✅ When you start recruiting and hiring extra staff, you have to know that you’re ready. It’s not a “I think it’ll work” situation. People’s livelihoods are at stake.
✅ If things aren’t working out, make the decision quickly. It’s always a painful decision, but just like ripping off a Band-Aid, the quicker the better.
✅ Take responsibility for your failures. Give credit when others succeed, but you have to own your mistakes.
✅ Help those people find new employment. It’s the least you can do, especially when it wasn’t their fault.
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