YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Building and scaling a good company culture is one of the most important tasks for founders and CEOs, as emphasized by successful founders from companies like Dropbox and Airbnb.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Culture is a nebulous concept, but it's crucial for early-stage founders to break it down into manageable action items to foster a positive work environment.

CM

Claire McDonnell

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

At True Link Financial, we prioritize building an inclusive culture from the very beginning, and we see the benefits of our investments in culture every day.

CM

Claire McDonnell

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

The way to build a strong company culture is through small, consistent investments every day, which can actually insulate a startup from existential threats.

CM

Claire McDonnell

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Being part of a team that trusts each other and feels treated fairly is essential for survival in a startup environment, rather than being a distraction from it.

CM

Claire McDonnell

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Creating an inclusive culture allows you to build a new community that doesn't replicate the dysfunctions of the outside world, making work a place where employees feel respected and valued.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

At Lever, we focus on hiring people who respect each other and the mission, which has led to a unified team and a strong culture that benefits both recruiting and retention.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

An inclusive culture is essential for retaining employees, as it creates an environment where they feel connected to their work and proud of their company.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Investing in culture is not a luxury; it's a necessity for early-stage companies to ensure that employees want to return to work every day and ignore recruiter emails.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Unchecked biases can undermine an inclusive culture, so it's important to create ways for colleagues to check their biases and support each other.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

We avoid a culture of blame by focusing on solving problems collectively rather than scapegoating individuals when mistakes happen.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

When a culture allows blame, it creates an environment where people are less likely to take risks, fearing repercussions.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

To foster innovation, it's crucial to create a no-blame culture that encourages experimentation and recognizes contributions.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Amplifying credit for ideas ensures that everyone receives recognition for their contributions, which is vital for a healthy company culture.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

In the Obama White House, women implemented a strategy called amplification to ensure their ideas were credited in meetings.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

At True Link, we actively acknowledge and celebrate the good work of all team members, making it a key part of our culture.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

We have a dedicated time in company meetings for recognizing the achievements of team members across different departments.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

It's important for teams to understand the accomplishments of other departments to foster respect and collaboration.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Creating an inclusive culture means ensuring that all teams, including operations, feel equally valued and celebrated.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

In Silicon Valley, there's often a bias towards engineering teams, which can lead to other teams feeling undervalued.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

To combat biases, it's essential to treat all teams with equal respect and recognition, regardless of their function.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

True Link values all teams equally, as evidenced by our high customer satisfaction ratings, which reflect the contributions of everyone.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Founders should reflect on whether they value all teams equally and recognize their contributions to the company.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

We conduct training sessions to help team members understand the roles and contributions of other departments.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

New hires at True Link participate in cross-functional onboarding to build relationships and respect among teams.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

We encourage team members to engage with different functions to foster mutual respect and understanding of each other's challenges.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Our no jerks policy is crucial for maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace, and we screen for this during hiring.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Candidates are evaluated not just on their skills but also on how they treat everyone during the hiring process.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

We emphasize humility and respect in our hiring process to ensure a positive team dynamic.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Interview panels at True Link include members from various levels to gather diverse perspectives on candidates.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Using feedback forms before group discussions helps ensure that everyone's opinions are considered in the hiring process.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

We provide training on compassionate communication to help team members express concerns respectfully and effectively.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

The Colors personality assessment helps team members understand individual differences in communication styles.

JK

Jennifer Kim

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Understanding your strengths and differences helps you become more tolerant of others.

JK

Jennifer Kim

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Founders being honest about their mistakes fosters an open culture where team members feel comfortable sharing their own mistakes.

JK

Jennifer Kim

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Without diverse perspectives on a team, important needs, like providing a mother's room at conferences, can be overlooked.

JK

Jennifer Kim

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

It's crucial for early-stage founders to recognize that they must play multiple roles, including HR, which can complicate employee interactions.

JK

Jennifer Kim

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Providing clear communication and writing down expectations can significantly reduce confusion for new employees.

JK

Jennifer Kim

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Investing time in writing down policies can save time and prevent confusion in the long run.

JK

Jennifer Kim

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Founders should prioritize their well-being, as being burnt out makes it difficult to lead a positive company culture.

JK

Jennifer Kim

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Sharing resources and encouraging team members to learn about culture and diversity is essential for building an inclusive environment.

JK

Jennifer Kim

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Empowering team members to take leadership roles in building an inclusive culture is vital, especially when founders are overwhelmed.

JK

Jennifer Kim

04/20/18

@ Y Combinator

Authentic founders who care about diversity and inclusion can inspire their teams to embrace these values, leading to a more inclusive culture.

Claire McDonnell and Jennifer Kim on Building an Inclusive Company Culture

Takeaways