Working Notes on Agent Systems/Brad Zhang

@teach_fireworks / X longform

1. Recruit generalists with 10 times the effectiveness: We adhere to the principle of “...

1. Recruit generalists with 10 times the effectiveness: We adhere to the principle of “either hire the right person or don’t recruit” when recruiting, and only recruit “generali...

July 28, 2025 · 1 min read

1.

Recruit generalists with 10 times the effectiveness: We adhere to the principle of “either hire the right person or don’t recruit” when recruiting, and only recruit “generalists with 10 times the effectiveness.” This means they are looking for individuals who not only have expertise in one area, but also have complementary skills in multiple areas.

For example, product engineers are full-stack developers, good product thinkers, and proficient in computer network fundamentals; marketers can program; designers can build.

This type of highly qualified, multi-skilled employees are inherently more capable of learning and adaptable, able to integrate into teams more quickly and produce immediately because the time they require for basic training and skills replenishment is greatly reduced.

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Essay structure map

Built from summary and key paragraph positions

1. Recruit generalists with 10 times the effectiveness: We adhere to the principle of...THESIS1. Recruit generalistswith 10 times theeffectiveness: Weadhere to theSIGNAL1.OPERATORFor example, productengineers arefull-stack developers,good product thinkers,IMPLICATIONThis type of highlyqualified,multi-skilledemployees are
Mermaid outline
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  operator["For example, product engineers are full-stack developers, good product thinkers, and proficient in computer..."]
  implication["This type of highly qualified, multi-skilled employees are inherently more capable of learning and adaptabl..."]
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