I’ve been watching the headlines, just like you. I see the dizzying valuations, the incredible product demos, the frantic race to build the next dominant platform.
And I see people asking the wrong question. They ask, "What technology do Figma, Anthropic, and Palantir have?" when they should be asking, "Who do they have?"
Because the defining characteristic of these companies, the one that guarantees their leadership in this new era, isn't their code.
It's their gravity.
They are not just technology companies; they are talent magnets. And in the age of AI, the team with the best talent doesn't just win. It laps the field.
This is the Law of Magnetism in its purest form: Who you are is who you attract. These organizations have become so clear in their identity and purpose that they exert a powerful, invisible pull on the most brilliant minds in the world. They don't just hunt for talent; talent seeks them out.
While others are competing on salary and perks, these companies are competing on a different plane entirely. They create their magnetic field with three things:
1. A Mission that matters.
The most gifted people are rarely motivated by money alone. They are motivated by meaning. They want to work on something that feels historic, something that solves a monumental problem. Palantir tackles global security. Anthropic pursues safe, human-aligned AI. Figma democratizes design. That kind of purpose is a currency that no amount of cash can match.
2. A standard of excellence.
Top performers want to be surrounded by other top performers. It's the most powerful perk of all. A-players don't want to work at a place where B-players are tolerated. The quiet, intense standard of excellence at these companies acts as both a filter and a beacon. It repels those who aren't up for the challenge and attracts those who can't imagine working any other way.
3. A problem worth their genius.
The most brilliant minds are not tools to be assigned tasks. They are creative forces looking for a worthy challenge. They are drawn to the toughest, most interesting puzzles. These companies don't just have a mission; they have a series of incredibly difficult technical and intellectual problems that demand true innovation. They offer a mountain that seems impossible to climb, and that is precisely why the best climbers show up.
So look away from the headlines for a moment and look in the mirror. Look at the company you are building.
Is it just another place to work, or is it a gravitational force?
Because in this new era, you can't buy your way to the top. You have to attract it.