Masters of Scale The elusive formula for great hiring, w/Workday's Aneel Bhusri
May 4, 2021
Aneel Bhusri, the Co-founder and CEO of Workday, is known for fostering an employee-first culture at his cloud-based software company. He shares insights on why hiring the right first employees is critical, referring to them as cultural co-founders. Aneel discusses effective interview questions that prioritize cultural fit, emphasizing emotional skills such as 'compassionate directness.' He also highlights innovative employee initiatives that enhance well-being and customer experiences, illustrating how culture and care can drive success.
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First Impressions Matter
- Aneel Bhusri's first day at PeopleSoft, where everyone was friendly and welcoming, set a positive tone for his career.
- This experience shaped his belief in the importance of a people-first culture.
Duffield's Hiring Style
- David Duffield, Aneel's future co-founder, hired him after taking him out for a beer and offering him travel time.
- Duffield prioritized cultural fit over specific skills, wanting Aneel as a person.
Founder-Led Interviews
- Founders should personally interview early hires, as they significantly impact the company culture.
- While 500 interviews might be excessive, the core message is that founders should get everyone right.