Talent Quote by Ben Horowitz
““Fascinatingly, as companies begin to struggle, the third category always seems to grow much faster than the first. In addition, the sudden wave of “semi-performance-related attrition” usually happens in companies that claim to have a “super-high talent bar.” How do all these superstar employees suddenly go from great to crap?””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Hard Thing About Hard Things, 2014
Even top talent can decline when companies raise expectations and create high‑pressure environments.
In simple terms: Superstar performance can degrade under stress.
Key Takeaway
Maintain realistic expectations and support for high performers.
Themes
leadership
talent management
organizational culture
performance
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
diagnostic
advisory
When to use this quote
- HR policy
- executive coaching
- team building
Key Concepts
psychological safety
attrition dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do high performers falter?
- How can firms sustain elite talent?
A Different Perspective
The claim may ignore individual accountability.
![“instead of a massive group of average performers dominating… through sheer numbers, a small group of elite performers [dominate] through massive performance.”130 Most organizations undervalue and underreward their best people, without even knowing they are doing it.” quote by Laszlo Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4e6/laszlo-bock-11604_small-group_instead-of-a-massive-group-of-average-pe_3089632.jpg)
