Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been on a significant hiring spree for artificial intelligence talent, especially following the announcement of the Meta Superintelligence Labs project slated for the first half of 2025. Amid this AI recruitment drive, an old piece of advice from the tech mogul has resurfaced, offering a window into his fundamental philosophy for building teams and shaping careers.
The Cardinal Rule for Hiring at Meta
In a revisited clip from a 2022 episode of the Lex Fridman Podcast, Zuckerberg outlined a personal principle that guides his hiring decisions at Meta. He stated that he applies a simple yet powerful test: "I will only hire someone to work for me if I can see myself working for them." This rule, emphasizing reciprocity and mutual respect, is non-negotiable for him.
Zuckerberg explained that this strategy fosters a more cohesive and productive work environment. He believes that when you collaborate with individuals who share your core human values, achieving professional objectives becomes a smoother process. For him, this evaluation of personal compatibility is akin to "choosing friends or a partner."
Zuckerberg's Pivotal Advice for College Students
Beyond hiring, Zuckerberg extended this philosophy to a crucial piece of guidance for students. He addressed the common misconception about Facebook's origin, clarifying that his ability to launch the platform was not a result of dropping out of Harvard.
Instead, he attributed the foundational success to the personal connections he forged while still in college. "Who you spend time with in college is 'the most important decision' any student can make," Zuckerberg advised. He stressed that people naturally emulate those around them, making the choice of one's social circle pivotal. "You become the people you surround yourself with," he remarked, suggesting that students should focus more on building strong relationships rather than being solely objective-driven.
This insight is drawn from his own experience, having met his Facebook co-founders—Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes, and Andrew McCollum—during their time as Harvard undergraduates.
Prioritizing Relationships Over Objectives
Despite the well-documented and sometimes tumultuous splits within Facebook's early team, Zuckerberg emphasized on the podcast that he tries to prioritize relationships over mere objectives. This human-centric approach forms the bedrock of his leadership and team-building strategy at Meta, especially as the company aggressively scales its AI ambitions with the new Superintelligence Labs.
The resurgence of this advice, shared by a tech-motivation account on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @HinataMotivates, coincides with Meta's ongoing AI talent acquisition blitz. It serves as a reminder that behind the rapid technological advancements, Zuckerberg places immense value on the human networks that make innovation possible.
