Definition #
Better to surround yourself with the best and have them leave than to have never had them at all. The operator’s principle for engaging calibration cast — short tenure is the known cost; the calibration return is the known value; the operator pays full cost knowingly.
Family #
People principle. Named after Hemingway’s concision — the sentence is the principle. Possible standalone aphorism for the chapter or closing line on [Two Role-Design Logics].
Why Behind the Thinking #
The operator who refuses to bring in a rockstar to avoid the exit is choosing a permanently lower ceiling without seeing the cost. The hidden permanent cost: a cast permanently calibrated on mediocrity because they have never seen anything else. The Hemingway Test converts this into an operator directive.
Pairs With #
[Grizzled Veteran], [Two Role-Design Logics], [Hidden Ceiling], [Productive Chaos], [20 Picnic Tables], [Calibration Cast]
Placement #
People. Chapter-level principle. May function as chapter aphorism or standalone IP.
