---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fascinatingly, as companies begin to…"
description: "\"“Fascinatingly, as companies begin to struggle, the third category always seems to grow much faster than the first. In addition, the sudden wave of “se..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/ben-horowitz-1791_talent_fascinatingly-as-companies-begin-to-stru_1327676.png"
---

#  Fascinatingly, as companies begin to struggle, the third…

![“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…” quote by Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/ben-horowitz-1791_talent_fascinatingly-as-companies-begin-to-stru_1327676.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/ben-horowitz-1791_talent_fascinatingly-as-companies-begin-to-stru_1327676.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/ben-horowitz-1791_talent_fascinatingly-as-companies-begin-to-stru_1327676.png)

> ““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?””

[Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

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.

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[Employees Suddenly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/employees-suddenly-4444855/) [High Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-talent-4444853/) [Superstar Employees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstar-employees-4444852/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Talent Bar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent-bar-4444854/)

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