I wrote my recent post “Leading from Absence” about the importance for the leader to define the organizational culture well. This is surely one of the main responsibilities of leaders.
Speaking of organizational culture, one of the main examples used in the world of management to talk about culture is the famous Netflix Culture Deck. I have always greatly admired the Netflix company. I have written on my blog several times about the company: “Randolph’s rules for success” about the enormous challenges that Marc Randolph, its founder, had to overcome and also “Sometimes the only way is through” about the history itself from Netflix as a clear example of personal and business improvement and resilience.
In this post, I want to share with you the principles of the Netflix Culture Deck, developed by CEO Reed Hastings and Chief Talent Officer Patty McCord. The document outlines the key principles that became fundamental to Netflix’s corporate culture. These principles provided insight into the company’s values, practices, and overall approach to business. According to Sheryl Sandberg – COO at Facebook for 15 years – it is the most important document to come out of Silicon Valley. Below I PRESENT THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL NETFLIX CULTURE DECK.
- FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY: Employees are given great freedom to make decisions and manage their work, but they are also expected to take responsibility for their actions and results.
- INNOVATE AND SIMPLIFY: Netflix encourages employees to constantly innovate and find ways to simplify processes, products, and services. This mindset fosters creativity and efficiency throughout the organization.
- SELFLESSNESS: Employees are encouraged to prioritize the success of the company over personal agendas or departmental interests. Collaboration and teamwork are valued above individual achievements.
- OPENNESS AND HONESTY: Transparent communication is essential at Netflix. Employees are expected to be open and honest in their interactions, provide feedback, and share information candidly.
- COURAGE: Netflix values employees who are willing to take risks and challenge the status quo. This culture of courage allows the company to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing industry.
- PASSION FOR THE MISSION: Netflix employees are passionate about the company’s mission and vision. They are committed to providing high-quality entertainment experiences to customers around the world. As Patty McCord says, “The greatest motivation is contributing to success.”
- HIGH PERFORMANCE: Netflix has a high-performance culture, where excellence is expected and rewarded. Employees are encouraged to set ambitious goals and continually strive to exceed them.
- ADAPTABILITY: The entertainment industry is constantly evolving and Netflix prides itself on its ability to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and consumer preferences. Flexibility and agility are valued traits in employees.
- CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Netflix encourages employees to adopt a growth mindset and prioritize continuous learning and development. This includes seeking out new opportunities to develop skills and staying informed about industry trends and innovations.
These cultural behaviors are critical to Netflix’s success and have helped the company maintain its position as a leader in the streaming entertainment industry. They shape the way employees collaborate, communicate, and innovate, contributing to a dynamic and forward-thinking organizational culture.
I end this post with a quote from Patty McCord that perfectly sums up her philosophy: “The job of a leader is to create great teams that do incredible work on time. That’s it”.
