How They Hire: Max Levchin, Co-Founder & CEO of Affirm
Every week, we highlight a top founder's hiring playbook.
In a 2019 interview, Max Levchin shared life advice, habits, beliefs, and a quote that captures his perspective on hiring talent:
The line is from the inimitable David Mamet, a quote from Ronin... 'Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt.' A laconic reminder to always be decisive in battle and in business, and at a most basic level, to trust your gut. In my line of work, this often enough translates to 'fire early.' When you aren't sure about a key employee or a co-founder, odds are exceedingly low your mind will be changed for the better.
Max Levchin, Co-Founder & CEO of Affirm
This mindset shapes Levchin’s decisive approach to building a team. He advocates for swift, clear decisions, and any hesitation or uncertainty about a candidate’s fit is a signal that shouldn’t be ignored.
Levchin also looks for qualities like grit and perseverance, believing the difference between winning and losing in the startup world often comes down to having talent around you who simply refuse to let it go.
Guided by this philosophy, Affirm seeks resilient, decisive, and relentlessly driven individuals who remain steady in the unpredictable environment of building a business.