Reed Hastings’ and Erin Meyer’s book captures how to create a thriving business through culture, trust, and relationships. It’s too bad the “self-help” writing and repeating examples make it difficult to complete.
The book is divided into four distinct sections. Part one and two teach the reader how to create a culture that has freedom and responsibility. While parts three and four go into “the keeper test,” and how to give feedback with global complexities. The goal is to have a work culture that does what’s best for the company and not trying to please their boss.
I loved the anecdotal stories from Netflix employees discussing how they were taught to lead through context versus control. When an employee wants to buy an expensive documentary rather than control the situation his manager simply asks, “Is this the one? If so, pay top dollar for it. If not, pass on it. This is your decision that I hired you to make.” In that story, the employee is empowered and encouraged to fail. While these stories are insightful and plentiful in NO RULES RULES, the self-help guide that follows each anecdote from Hastings are 😴 inducing.
What I took away from this book is how to give feedback at work and in personal settings. I also got to hear the human side of a tech leader who openly admits his mistakes. It’s lacking the personal touch of Bob Iger’s RIDE OF A LIFETIME, and should be viewed more as a reader’s corporate “Guide of a Lifetime.”
It’s available on Audible and Print.
