18 Nov 2022

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6999481038930329600/

Katie Burke - Chief People Officer @ Hubspot

This morning, Twitter fired people for critiquing management on Slack.

Last week, an engineer at HubSpot criticized our exec team on something. We thanked them, asked them to pull together a document proposed solutions, and I apologized for one particular thing I think I in particular messed up.

As a leader, getting criticized is part of your job. Great leaders recognize debate and disagreement makes you better and is part of the process. If you want a place where you can disagree (in a kind, clear manner of course) with people, HubSpot is hiring.

Katie Burke Remember in 2016 when mainstream media's headlines were "My Year in Startup Hell", following a book by one of Hubspot's employees?

My point is not "you're as bad" (because I have enormous respect for both Elon & Dharmesh) but rather: context matters!

I'm sure Hubspot has a different view about what happened back then, than what Dan Lyons wrote.

Similarly, Elon needs to make hefty cuts (some of which would have happened anyway), and needs only the best people that are aligned with him, as he leads the ship now.

People critical about management in a way that shows fundamental cultural misalignment should definitely be cut first.

From everything I've read, Elon is 100% open to constructive disagreements that are leading to better solutions for the business.

My answer

Katie Burke:

Remember in 2016 when mainstream media's headlines were "My Year in Startup Hell", following a book by one of Hubspot's employees?

My point is not "you're as bad" (because I have enormous respect for both Elon & Dharmesh) but rather: context matters!

I'm sure Hubspot has a different view about what happened back then, than what Dan Lyons wrote.

Here, Elon needs to make hefty cuts (some of which would have happened anyway), and needs only the best people that are aligned with him, as he leads the ship now.

People critical about management in a way that shows fundamental cultural misalignment should definitely be cut first.

From everything I've read, Elon is 100% open to constructive disagreements that are leading to better solutions for the business.

But I understand your move here with this post - great talent from Twitter for Hubspot to scoop up! 😉