Brian Chesky’s new playbook
Lenny's Podcast: Product | Career | Growth
Optimize for Expertise, Simplify for Impact
Removing layers of management leads to agility and efficiency in operations, akin to a startup environment. Adopting a functional model with expert leadership ensures that each executive excels in their domain, promoting hands-on involvement in projects. This approach counters the common misconception that adding personnel accelerates progress; instead, fewer, highly skilled employees foster better outcomes. Maintaining a small workforce, as demonstrated by a headcount of fewer than 7,000 compared to larger competitors, enhances collaboration and reduces complexity. The focus shifts from merely managing people to actively engaging with the work, emphasizing the necessity of expertise within every role. Moreover, creating a unified decision-making structure among top executives fosters a continuous dialogue and aligns priorities, elevating company performance by prioritizing shared goals over metrics.
