How to identify Rock Star employees?

Sara Tavel compares "Good" employees with "Rock Star" employees (whom she calls as the Mitochondria of the company)

1. Both are good at their jobs

2. The difference being in the scale of adding value. For good employees, it is is linear (more pay or higher the hierarchy = more value), while rockstar employees - "they add value to the company beyond their job description and responsibilities. They ask and do what is best for the company"

The "founder’s job (is) to attract and retain mitochondria through all stages of a company. At the early stages, this rare group of individuals is the core of the company. As your startup scales, they are your leaders."

How do you spot them? - Do Value Interviews

"Don't just hire for competence, interview for values"

Typically the founding team should check if the candidate is going to be a match with the core values of the company. If you had a chart for that you'd want someone on the top right corner.

A quick 2x2 interpretation of Sara's post:

Sara has more ideas on what characteristics such employees have, how to notice them while hiring, compensation, etc. You can read it here.

Arun Natarajan is the Founder & CEO of Venture Intelligence, the leading provider of data and analysis on private company transactions, valuations and financials in India. Click Here to learn about Venture Intelligence products that help entrepreneurs Reach Out to Investors, Research Competition, Learn from Experienced Entrepreneurs and Interact with Peers. Includes the Free Deal Digest Weekly Newsletter: India's First & Most Exhaustive Transactions Newsletter.

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