How do I know I made a bad hire?
Short answer
First 30 days. Late, defensive, or quietly resenting feedback. Trust those signals.
Early signs
They argue with feedback instead of taking it. They are late or off in the first two weeks, when they should be on their best behavior. They don't ask questions because they don't want to look dumb.
What to do
Don't sunk-cost it. Have the direct conversation by day 45. Most bad hires get worse, not better. Cutting losses inside 90 days is much cheaper than at month nine.
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