How Netflix builds a culture of excellence

Elizabeth Stone, CTO of Netflix and a trained economist who previously led data and insights there, discusses how her background shaped her career and how Netflix builds its culture. The conversation covers high talent density, candor, freedom and responsibility, the keeper test, the structure of Netflix's data and consumer insights teams, and her habits for staying connected to teams.

01Key learnings

• Economics framing, especially thinking through incentives and unintended consequences, is a useful lens for product and business problems, and economists add value on tech teams.
• Hold a high personal bar: be responsive, follow through on commitments, and show up on time so colleagues are not left waiting on you.
• Give high-standard feedback in private and specific terms, then help the person close the gap by working on the work with them, rather than only critiquing.
• Avoid polishing documents for their own sake; define the purpose of a meeting or review first, and spend effort on the conversation that outcome requires.
• Hire for people who raise the bar and bring new perspectives, not just people who fit a checklist of skills.
• Use the keeper test (would I fight to keep this person if they resigned?) regularly in one-on-ones to surface performance concerns early and avoid surprises.
• Protect time for direct connection with teams through office hours and Ask Me Anything sessions, and make yourself responsive so people can reach you easily.
• Build a professional community by investing in colleagues, since relationships formed at work often become lasting connections that pay back over time.

02Frameworks mentioned

Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.