Worklife with Adam Grant A company is not a family with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky
150 snips
May 21, 2024 
In this engaging conversation, Brian Chesky, CEO and co-founder of Airbnb, shares insights on nurturing trust within teams. He emphasizes that while a company isn't a family, strong connections can thrive in a community-focused environment. Chesky discusses the importance of transparent communication, especially during crises, and the evolving nature of work post-pandemic. He advocates for flexible schedules and innovative practices that prioritize personal relationships, showcasing how to lead with care and adapt to the future of work.
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Airbnb's Origins
- Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, Airbnb's co-founders, rented out airbeds in their San Francisco apartment to attendees of a design conference.
- This makeshift "airbed and breakfast" was their initial solution to affording rent, not their intended big idea.
Company as Community
- Chesky believes a company isn't a family but a community, extending from employees to hosts.
- He prioritized building trust internally and externally, viewing employees and hosts as interconnected within this community.
COVID-19 Layoffs
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, Airbnb's business dropped 80% in eight weeks, forcing Chesky to lay off employees.
- His compassionate layoff letter included generous severance, extended healthcare, job support, and an alumni directory, emphasizing love and shared history.