## Problem
"In 2012, I was the Director of Engineering for mobile platforms at Netflix. Times were tough, as we were missing deadlines and my iOS manager was not performing. As months passed, things got out of hand and the iOS delays were having a big impact at a company-wide level. We were not shipping and I had let the situation devolve into a public relations concern."

## Actions taken
"Over a period of eight weeks, I fired the iOS manager, hired three iOS engineers, and took over the iOS project. We managed to make our deadlines and we shipped on time."

## Lessons learned
"Postponing this decision had resulted in negative impacts on my team, my company, and our customers. This episode made me realize that delaying important decisions can come with a heavy price and you must think of collateral damage. I generally don't like to fire people, but I had to put my feelings aside and think beyond my own comfort."

As the Director of Engineering at Netflix, I faced challenges with missed deadlines and underperforming managers. Taking action, I fired the iOS manager, hired new engineers, and personally led the project to success. This experience taught me the importance of making tough decisions promptly for the benefit of the team, company, and customers.

In 2012, the Director of Engineering for mobile platforms at Netflix faced a difficult situation with their iOS manager not performing and deadlines being missed. After eight weeks of firing the manager, hiring three iOS engineers, and taking over the iOS project, they managed to make their deadlines and ship on time. This experience taught the Director that delaying important decisions can have negative impacts and it is important to think of the collateral damage.

Never Delay Decisions

Problem

Actions taken

Lessons learned

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