YC
Scaling Culture | Jason Kilar, former Hulu CEO
@ Y Combinator
06/02/17
Takeaways
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
Culture is defined by how we act when no one is looking, especially during late nights when you're working hard and no one is watching.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
A strong company culture acts as both a magnet and a repellent, attracting the right people while deterring those who don't fit.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
Scaling a great culture requires daily commitment and the ability to uphold values even when faced with challenges and tests.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
Walt Disney was explicit about the culture he wanted for his company, clearly communicating values and principles repeatedly.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
Walt Disney exemplified 'walking the talk' by picking up litter in the theme parks, demonstrating the importance of cleanliness and attention to detail.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
Disney implemented mechanisms, such as Disney University, to ensure employees learn and embody the company's values and principles at scale.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
At Amazon, Jeff Bezos established 14 leadership principles that clearly outline the company's values and what it cares about, emphasizing the need to live up to them daily.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
Good intentions alone are insufficient for large organizations; effective mechanisms are necessary to ensure consistent values and principles across the company.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
The 'just do it' award at Amazon encouraged employees to take initiative and act in alignment with the company's values, celebrating those who moved the company forward without needing permission.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
The 'just do it' award at Amazon effectively reinforced positive employee behaviors, from saving on electrical bills to challenging bureaucracy.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
At Hulu, we explicitly defined our culture by creating a document titled 'What Defines Hulu', which served as a magnet for the right people and a repellent for those who didn't align with our values.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
A culture that is merely 'motherhood and apple pie' is ineffective; it should challenge and attract the right individuals while deterring those who don't fit.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
A strong company culture should act as both a magnet for the right talent and a repellent for those who don't fit, ensuring that only those aligned with the company's values are attracted.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
Leaders should encourage healthy debate and not compromise for the sake of social cohesion, as this can lead to a more effective and innovative culture.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
It's crucial to live up to your company's culture every day, as you will be tested frequently on your values and principles.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
When building a company culture, be explicit about your values, walk the talk, and embrace mechanisms that are authentic and effective for your organization.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
When scaling a company, it's important to prepare for challenges and adapt mechanisms that work as the organization grows from a small team to a large enterprise.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
Mechanisms in a company should be thoughtfully designed to avoid bureaucracy; good processes are essential for scaling effectively.
JK
Jason Kilar
06/02/17
@ Y Combinator
The values and principles of a company reflect those of its founder and CEO, making it essential to establish them thoughtfully from the beginning.