Am I the only one who finds the language "C class talent" really distasteful? I feel like it's worse than referring to your employees as "human resources".

I understand the importance of passing on people who are a close-but-in-the-end-imperfect fit for your organization. But using the concept of class and grading people from A to F just makes my skin crawl, and it makes me want to avoid any company or organization who things about people that way, YC included.

Am I the only one?

I would find it unpleasant to be called "C-class talent," but I'd also find it unpleasant to get a C. In both cases, that would prompt me to either step up my game or reconsider my priorities.

People are unequal, and in a business context, that means some people are worth less than others. You can grade them on a curve, but that just means we'll all learn that a "B" means you're a failure, and that really good companies are only recruiting among As and A+s. Differences in ability can't be fixed through semantics.

On the other hand we've have noticed people branded as C-class talent kicking ass of A and A+s too, haven't we?

I think it's fine as long as you don't think people are born ABC. You have to draw the line, and you have to be able to recognize talent - and the lack of such.

I think you're spot on.

A fun game is to ask the person using this kind of language whether they consider themselves an A, B, or C player.

I feel the same. I think the original concept also came from what kind of GPA a person got in university, which makes it even more distasteful.

Ah is that what it is. It makes no sense in other parts of the world.

I am used to it. It is a terminology shortcut to qualify people's actions. You'll find that from a lot people coming from universities. They tend to compare themselves a lot and use statistical horizontal comparisons. If not from HR, it is mostly to imply they are part of the A group.

I did have a look, but didn't see anything out of ordinary there.

Surely the team must be great to be doing so well, and best of luck and kudos to them! But what exactly am I supposed to be seeing on that overview page? Which part triggered your "A class" detector?

From my experience running a startup this isnt necessarily true.

I hired what you would call B/C class talent because i loved their work ethic. Simply put, they get shit done and follow the guidelines while some A class people try to write the perfect solution which takes more time (planning overhead etc). Of course you need A class talent for certain positions, but certainly not all, not even in engineering.

Also if you are bootstrapping on a rather low budget, attracting A class talent isnt the easiest thing todo anyway.

I know what you mean, but don't think of this as the outcome. Funding is just the beginning, most of the really hard work remains to be done.

Of course, it's a means to an end. I meant that the team they have built is inherently valuable, and because of the team they have an amazing product.