As a startup transitions from founding to running, the work environment changes significantly. Early hires have a profound impact on the company's trajectory, making it essential to hire slowly and deliberately. Founders should prioritize values alignment and avoid hiring "jerks" even if they're brilliant. Compromising during hiring can lead to unsatisfying outcomes, so decision-making should be weighted dynamically towards expertise and opinion. Having a growth mindset is crucial for startups, as they constantly solve new problems and learn from mistakes. Scaling creates tension between standardization and innovation, requiring startups to find a balance in designing processes that provide guidance without hamstringing employees.