Working at Netflix • Brendan Gregg • YOW! 2018

Discover the company culture and values that make Netflix a sought-after workplace, from "no brilliant jerks" to embracing experimentation and innovation, feedback, and continuous improvement.

Key takeaways
  • Netflix values freedom and responsibility, allowing individuals to make decisions and take ownership of their work.
  • The company has a “no brilliant jerks” policy, emphasizing the importance of cordial and respectful behavior among colleagues.
  • Netflix encourages experimentation and innovation, as seen through its willingness to try new technologies and approaches.
  • The company’s culture is built around values such as judgment, communication, curiosity, and courage.
  • The Netflix culture is shared openly and deliberately, with the company’s philosophy and values readily available to employees.
  • The company’s architecture is designed to be resilient to failure, with measures such as redundancy and bias built in to ensure system reliability.
  • Netflix prioritizes feedback and continuous improvement, with 360-degree reviews and regular team check-ins to promote collaboration and professional growth.
  • The company values work-life balance, offering flexible schedules and a supportive work environment.
  • Engineers are encouraged to take calculated risks and try new approaches, even if they may not always be successful.
  • The leap second bug incident highlights the company’s ability to tackle complex technical issues and prioritize system reliability.
  • Netflix’s flat organizational structure allows for more direct communication and collaboration among colleagues.
  • The company’s values are reflected in its approach to decision-making, with a focus on individual judgment and responsibility.
  • The Netflix culture is not perfect, but it is intentionally designed to support a positive and productive work environment.
  • The company’s openness and transparency are reflected in its willingness to share information and feedback publicly.
  • The Netflix values and philosophy are intentionally designed to support a positive and productive work environment.