The track record for founders that don't already know each other is really bad.

If someone is difficult to talk to, if someone cannot communicate clearly, it's a real problem in terms of their likelihood to work out.

Most good founders that I know at any given time have a set of small overarching goals for the company that everybody in the company knows.

Don't let the company get distracted or excited about other things. A common mistake is that companies get excited by their own PR.

The second part of how to hire: try not to.

Aim to be the best in the world at whatever you do professionally. Even if you miss, you'll probably end up in a pretty good place.

You can create value with breakthrough innovation, incremental refinement, or complex coordination. Great companies often do two of these. The very best companies do all three.