Netflix Corporate Culture - BLOGISODE THREE: Brilliant Jerks

For those of you who were eagerly reading and tracking my Netflix Blogisodes, fear not. They are back! I really wanted to make sure and write this one because it focuses on something that I really liked about this presentation! (For those of you who are unfamiliar, I wrote two previous Blogisodes on Netflix’s Corporate Culture presentation which can be found here: Reference Guide on our Freedom & Responsibility Culture.)

On slide 34 Netflix says this:

Brilliant Jerks

o Some companies tolerate them

o For us, the cost to teamwork is too high

o Diverse styles are fine – as long as person embodies the 9 values

I absolutely LOVE this slide. I think that too often the importance of culture and teamwork is overlooked by the impressiveness of someone’s intellect. Intellect with tact means nothing. Think back to the rotten apple quote you always heard growing up (or was that just me?). All it takes is one rotten apple in the bunch. You will be amazed at how quickly team work, efficiency, loyalty, and motivation starts to slide right out the door when the work environment is not a pleasant one. Who wants to willingly go to work and encounter a jerk at work every day? I don’t. I don’t care HOW smart you are. For me, the only brilliant jerks allowed in my life are surgeons, and that’s because I’m usually under anesthesia and don’t have to interact with them.  I just want them to be brilliant at what they do :).

Look for more positive reactions in future blogisodes!