Building Culture

There’s an incredibly important point to think about right at the beginning of any company’s journey. Don’t underestimate the importance of culture, because it’s the link to your team. It’s the culture, not the processes. There’re some important takeaways I’ve identified.

If You Want To Run Fast, Run Alone. If You Want To Run Far, Run Together.

1. Conduct fit interviews first and foremost.
That’s why it’s best to start every interview with a human contact and a discussion of values.
Are you on the path together? Do your horizons and goals align? How can you help each other achieve your goals?

2. Don’t let assholes in.
Once assholes get on your team, they’ll immediately start building an alternative culture and entrenching in the company.
Usually assholes have a couple of strong qualities that makes it incredibly painful to fire them, because that’s how life works. It’s like giving up your soul in exchange for a super skill.
However it’s important to fire them as soon as possible, because otherwise they will poison the team climate and cause a cancer as the team grows. The more progressive the stage, the more dangerous is the addiction and the more lethal are the consequences.

3. Strength in Diversity
I’ve seen more than once that in the long run it pays off a hundredfold to have people from different backgrounds as a part of a team. It’ll be difficult and painful at first, but you’ll all benefit in the long run. So keep an eye on a gender balance, look for people who are not like you. Give everyone a voice and an opportunity to act, even if it feels wrong.