#46 - Treat people like adults | Sam Corcos, Josh Clemente & Mike Haney
Jan 5, 2024
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Sam Corcos and Josh Clemente discuss treating people like adults, assuming best intent, being open to ideas, addressing negative feedback, making feedback transparent, cultural alignment, exclusive hiring process, self-improvement, getting rid of gossip, and giving people agency.
Treating people like adults involves trusting employees to manage their own time and priorities and cultivating a culture of transparency and agency.
Maintaining a balance between diversity of thought and shared cultural values is crucial for a successful company culture.
Creating an environment where feedback is given and received constructively fosters trust, openness, and continuous learning.
Deep dives
Treating people like adults
The podcast episode discusses the importance of treating people like adults in the workplace. This concept involves giving employees agency over their decisions and respecting their personal priorities. It emphasizes the idea that employees should not be forced to participate in non-work-related events and that personal choices should not negatively impact their performance reviews.
Transparency in sharing information
The podcast highlights the importance of transparency in sharing information within a company. It references Netflix and their approach to sharing information with their employees. The episode explores the idea of treating people like adults by assuming best intent and creating policy, centered around trust and openness, rather than managing based on worst-case scenarios.
Culture and principles alignment
The episode delves into the alignment of cultural values and principles within a company. The discussion focuses on the balance between having diversity of thought while still maintaining a shared foundation of principles and values. The importance of hiring individuals who align with the cultural values is emphasized, while recognizing that diversity in personality traits can bring unique perspectives and experiences.
Constructive feedback and assumption of good intent
The podcast episode explores the value of assuming good intent and providing constructive feedback within a company. It emphasizes the need for open and direct conversations, allowing individuals to express opinions and reservations without fear of negative consequences. The goal is to create an environment where feedback is given with the intention of improvement, cultivating a culture of trust and openness.
Treating People Like Adults
Treating people like adults is a foundational value of the company's culture. This means trusting employees to manage their own time and priorities, respecting their autonomy, and fostering a sense of agency. The company emphasizes transparency from day one, sharing investor updates and all-hands meetings openly. However, not all information is openly shared. For example, compensation data is not made public, but individuals have the freedom to share it if they choose. Treating people like adults also involves assuming good intent and maintaining an environment where feedback can be given and received constructively. The company focuses on supporting individual growth, improving onboarding, and creating a culture of continuous learning.
Culture Fit and Assumptions
The company places importance on hiring individuals who align with the company culture. While candidates are not expected to already embody all the principles of conscious leadership, there is an expectation of a commitment to personal growth and willingness to adapt to the company's way of doing things. The company values openness, deep work, and feedback as key aspects of its culture. Assumptions about a new hire include assuming good intent, prioritizing deep work, and assuming an individual's commitment to self-improvement. Additionally, the company values a culture that avoids gossip and encourages direct feedback. Making assumptions about individuals based on the company culture helps create a cohesive and collaborative work environment.
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🎙 What Mike Haney, Sam Corcos, & Josh Clemente:
(04:06) - Assume best intent
(15:46) - Be open to other people’s ideas
(20:50) - Address negative feedback immediately
(29:53) - Make feedback transparent, but appropriate
(33:44) - Test for usefulness
(46:02) - Cultural alignment includes communication styles
