Great leaders orchestrate rather than do – And few embody that more than Netflix’s Reed Hastings. Moe Abdou is joined by INSEAD professor and Hastings collaborator, Erin Meyer to explore why Netflix’s workplace culture is without peer.
Why Rules Get In the Way of Greatness
One of the most dynamic companies of the past decade has undoubtedly been Netflix. Not only have they reimagined the manner in which we consume media – more importantly, they’ve rewritten the very script that had forever defined Hollywood.
Obviously the story of Netflix has many contributing factors; still the fabric that holds everything together is co-founder and CEO, Reed Hastings. Reed is no conventional leader; and if you know anything about his approach to running Netflix, you understand why he’s in rare company.
At the core of his philosophy is people – And the manner in which he and his team continually attract, retain and groom these ‘stunning colleagues’ is the hallmark of Netflix’s culture and the reason why they continue to be one of one.
Like great coaches, leaders inside Netflix know that A-list talent not only demands excellence from themselves; but they push those around them to continually stretch and grow. In his book – No Rules Rules – Hastings and his close confidant and collaborator, Erin Meyer decode the thinking that has propelled Netflix into one of the world’s most innovative companies.
I spoke with Erin about the book and about her experience working with Reed, and not surprisingly, he’s gusty.
Episode Overview:
- What most of us don’t know about how Reed thinks?
- The type of conversations you’re likely to hear inside the hallways of Netflix.
- How do the leaders inside Netflix see their roles and highest priorities?
- How is innovation perceived inside of Netflix?
- The recurring message Erin heard during her interviews with leaders inside Netflix?
- The DNA of a ‘stunning colleague’.
- Netflix’s talent retention strategy.
- Why candor isn’t surface talk at Netflix?
- The misconception of what ‘Freedom and Responsibility’ really mean?
- The downside of that level of transparency?
Resources:
- WEBSITE: ErinMeyer.com
- TWITTER: @ErinMeyerINSEAD
- AMAZON: No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention
This episode was originally published here on 33voices.