As most other people have mentioned bringing up firing during an interview is a poor way to set expectations (especially in the manner described). Using the gimmick of seeing how a prospective hire responds to being told "Why and How I’ll Fire You" is reductionist and shows a disturbing lack empathy, that I would probably navigate away from as a prospect once a got a whiff of what this company was cooking.
Sure, this probably works for this founder. And it actually helps them get people who they'd work well with. But as a general practice, its strikes me as a pretty clumsy and arrogant way of approaching a fellow human being to work with you.
As an aside, its things like this that I feel, contribute to the monoculture of white males in Tech, because I could see women and minorities who are already fearful that they wouldn't fit into a tech workplace being even more fearful after hearing this kind of talk from someone they're thinking of working for.
Can you imagine the kind of stress a minority would be under in a place like this, struggling to make connections and find people to help them navigate the process ... failing ... and having their performance impacted then remembering that the head of the company said
"I’ll tell you that the decision was made after thoughtful deliberation, and it won’t be reconsidered. I won’t suffer you the indignity of Why"
And wondering if its even wise to seek help from Above, because it could be taken the wrong way and they could be shown the door suddenly?
phew. Hopefully this doesn't gain traction with future startup founders. We have institutionalized processes for firing people for a reason.
Sure, this probably works for this founder. And it actually helps them get people who they'd work well with. But as a general practice, its strikes me as a pretty clumsy and arrogant way of approaching a fellow human being to work with you.
As an aside, its things like this that I feel, contribute to the monoculture of white males in Tech, because I could see women and minorities who are already fearful that they wouldn't fit into a tech workplace being even more fearful after hearing this kind of talk from someone they're thinking of working for.
Can you imagine the kind of stress a minority would be under in a place like this, struggling to make connections and find people to help them navigate the process ... failing ... and having their performance impacted then remembering that the head of the company said
"I’ll tell you that the decision was made after thoughtful deliberation, and it won’t be reconsidered. I won’t suffer you the indignity of Why"
And wondering if its even wise to seek help from Above, because it could be taken the wrong way and they could be shown the door suddenly?
phew. Hopefully this doesn't gain traction with future startup founders. We have institutionalized processes for firing people for a reason.