a16z Podcast

Culture as Code

Oct 6, 2022

Dive into the complexities of organizational culture and discover that it's shaped by actions, not just values. Explore transformative lessons from historical figures and contrasting environments, revealing how culture can impact both business and social settings. Understand the vital role of ethics and moral guidelines in corporate culture, and learn how focusing on strengths fosters a healthier workplace. Plus, uncover the powerful connection between hip-hop and entrepreneurship, showcasing culture's ability to inspire innovation and personal expression.

59:59

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Highlights

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Episode notes

What You Do is Who You Are

01:25

The Art of Getting What You Want

00:52

The Why Matters

01:23

The Value of a Mediocre Performer

01:06

Intro

2min

Cultivating Organizational Culture

14min

Transformative Cultures: Lessons from Contrasting Environments

4min

First Principles of Leadership and Innovation

6min

Navigating Ethics and Culture in Corporations

20min

Valuing Strengths and Nurturing Culture

10min

The Cultural Influence of Hip-Hop and Entrepreneurial Identity

3min

While building and shaping culture is as relevant as ever for startups and companies today, leaders have sought the answers to these questions for hundreds of years – and there is practical advice to be had by examining different cultures across time and around the globe.

In this episode from December 2019, a16z co-founder Ben Horowitz sits down with host Sonal Choksi to talk about what actually makes up culture, whether in a company or any organization or team, as based on Ben’s best-selling book, What You Do is Who You Are. They discuss the idea of culture as code, the nuances of setting and changing a culture, and how to apply the principles of his book to startups, the tech industry and any company today.

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