📚 Stranger Reads

“Just think, Blockbuster Video had the chance to buy Netflix for something like $50m…..but they didn’t think it would work as a business…….whooopsie!”

“I have started reading it. Just finished the intro. This was super illuminating already I thought: However, true to the “honesty - always” culture at Netflix, many were happy to share all sorts of surprising and sometimes unflattering opinions and stories about themselves and their employer, while being identified openly.”

“I’m already looking forward to the conversations about this book.”

“Just started reading No Rules Rules and already hooked. Interesting where Blockbuster clung to process and control, Netflix built a culture that valued people over process, innovation over efficiency and trusted employees with freedom and responsibility.”

“Fascinated they talk about achieving top performance through talent density and leading with context, not control. Allowing them to adapt, grow and stay ahead as the world changed around them.”

“Loved the idea of the Keeper Test idea: “Which of my team would I fight to keep if they were leaving for a rival?””

Here are a few take aways from the first three chapters of the book.

1. Talent Density is the Foundation Netflix’s cultural transformation began by increasing “talent density”—fewer employees, but higher-performing ones.

After a major layoff, Hastings noticed productivity and collaboration actually improved. This reinforced the idea that having top-tier talent across the board creates a self-reinforcing cycle of excellence—you don’t need as many rules when you trust everyone around you to be smart, capable, and driven.

2. Candor is a Competitive Advantage Netflix introduced a culture of frequent, candid feedback, internally known as “live 360s.”

Employees are encouraged to share open, constructive feedback regularly — even (especially) with leadership. The idea is that honest feedback improves performance, strengthens trust, and removes hidden tension. But it only works in an environment where people don’t fear retaliation or awkwardness.

3. Remove Rules, Empower Judgment The company’s shift toward fewer formal controls (e.g., no expense policies, unlimited vacation) was intentional.

Instead of strict guidelines, Netflix trusts employees to use good judgment and act in the company’s best interest. This is only possible after achieving high talent density and establishing trust through candor.

Here are some great resources that Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer has put out it to the world if you’re thirsty for more!

The Culture Map by Erin Meyer - This book provides a field-tested model for decoding how cultural differences impact international business. Whether you need to motivate employees, delight clients, or simply organise a conference call among members of a cross-cultural team, the eight dimensions featured in The Culture Map will help you improve your effectiveness. 

The Future of Management - This talk by Erin Meyer is about how cultural differences are impacting the way global organisations operate. She provides some incredible examples of how certain behaviours are common in business settings within some cultures and how behaviours are interpreted by other cultures.

What life after Netflix looks like for former CEO Reed Hastings - Reed is hard at work on a new project: creating a private ski community at Powder Mountain, Utah. Bloomberg Television sits down with the former CEO to talk about his career, legacy and the lessons he is applying to his new venture.

We’re building an incredible community over on our Bad Ass Bookshelf Discord channel where over 90 of you have joined in the fun (it’s free BTW).

Here are some of the chats we’ve been having:

Join the conversation!

Netflix's culture is built on "freedom and responsibility," but could that work in your organisation? Do you think a high-candor, low-control environment would thrive or fail where you work — and why?

Let us know by dropping a reply to this email - or better yet - heading over to share these thoughts with the rest of the Bad Assess on Discord!

We're so excited to host our next Bad Ass Bookshelf bookclub call to discuss No Rules Rules! Call details below:

Date: Thursday 1st May
Time: 17:00 GMT (12:00 EST / 09:00 PST)

Register for the call here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YK_qnF7RSTOV7P5i0FvHcw

Cannot wait to see you all there!