Why Chaos Might Be the Missing Piece in Your Company Culture, with the CPO of Rivian

Think chaos can't be good for company culture? Think again. Helen Russell, the Chief People Officer of electric vehicle powerhouse Rivian, shares how chaos, when harnessed correctly, can spur unparalleled innovation and growth. In this podcast, discover the unique values, behaviors, and strategies that have driven Rivian from 1,000 to 16,000 employees in just a few years, and how a seemingly counterintuitive approach might just be the key to creating a truly magnetic company culture.

Key Takeaways:

• Chaos as a Catalyst: How embracing chaos is not just a byproduct of rapid growth, but a fundamental piece of Rivian's innovative culture.
• Verb-ifying Values: Russell's unique perspective on how making company values actionable, or turning them into "verbs," can lead to deeper cultural integration.
• Culture from Day One: Rivian's distinctive strategies for instilling culture during the hiring and onboarding process, from CEO interactions to "Recharge Meetings."
• Feedback & Humility: The two most crucial behaviors at Rivian, and why Russell believes the key to effective feedback is focusing on the receiver rather than the giver.
• Nurturing Creativity: Helen’s recommended Ted Talk, “Schools Kill Creativity” by Sir Ken Robinson, explores how conventional systems can inhibit true innovative thinking and how this can translate into the corporate realm.