69. Don’t be afraid to hire people you’re going to lose.

One executive had been through so many assistants that she decided to hire someone who would stay in the role long term. As a result, she ended up with a mediocre performer who couldn’t keep up. Finally, she tried something different. She hired someone that she was sure she would lose eventually—a recent college grad with the right skills, tons of energy, and a great attitude. The executive was honest with the new hire about the nature of the role, but she promised to make the job as valuable as possible for him.

The value this new assistant brought to the table far outweighed the time spent mentoring him. The executive’s productivity soared. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before the executive will “lose” him as an assistant. But she might gain an associate. And she realized there will always be an eager young grad to take his place.

Employers are often reluctant to hire candidates who want to move up too quickly, for fear of repeating the rehiring and retraining process. Don’t be. Hire the person with aspirations and the right skills. They’ll be easy to train, will stay motivated, and will help you get a lot more done.