If one were to ask, “What is Netflix?” even someone with minimal interest in watching content on their phones or TV screens would likely respond with familiarity. What started as a mere DVD supplier in 1998 has evolved into a phenomenon. One key factor behind this explosive growth is Netflix Culture and its commitment to company values.
This success story has even influenced the realm of culture consulting, serving as a model for companies aiming to foster similar environments.
The Essence of Netflix Culture
In Netflix’s own words: “At Netflix, we aspire to entertain the world, thrilling audiences everywhere. To do that, we’ve developed an unusual Netflix Culture focused on excellence and creating an environment where talented people can thrive — lifting ourselves, each other, and our audiences higher and higher.
The Four Principles Guiding Netflix Culture
The Dream Team:
Netflix Culture holds a high standard for performance, constantly striving for excellence. They view their team not as a family but as a professional sports team. Each member is a high performer, bringing their best every single day. Employees are well-compensated and treated with respect, creating an environment where high performance is the norm.
This model has become a benchmark in culture consulting for building high-performing teams.
People Over Process:
A key aspect of Netflix Culture is prioritising informed decision-making by empowering Captains rather than committees.
The emphasis is on context over control. Managers act as coaches, ensuring that Netflix Culture values are upheld while providing clarity and empowerment to their teams.
Uncomfortably Exciting:
Netflix Culture fosters boldness and ambition, continuously programming for over half a billion people globally. This success demands that associates are experimental and forward-thinking.
Employees are encouraged to embrace the thrill of what’s next, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Great and Always Better:
Netflix Culture acknowledges that they “suck compared to what [they] could be tomorrow.” This mindset drives the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement.
Every new employee contributes to Netflix Culture, finding new ways to accomplish more together. This approach not only enhances the experience for everyone but also inspires long-term growth and success.
Living the Netflix Culture
While Netflix Culture staff may not always perfectly embody these principles, new joiners are often amazed by the empowerment and excellence they observe.
Netflix believes in evolving its culture while maintaining a focus on excellence and ensuring that it remains a place where great people can do the best work of their lives.
Conclusion
Netflix Culture is a cornerstone of its success, creating an environment that fosters high performance, innovation, and continuous improvement. By prioritising people over process and encouraging an atmosphere of uncomfortable excitement, Netflix Culture not only entertains half the world but also nurtures an ecosystem of growth and excellence.
It serves as an influential example in culture consulting, guiding other organisations in building thriving, high-performance work environments. By aligning the company’s core values with everyday actions, Netflix Culture continues to attract and retain top talent, ensuring its position as a leader in the entertainment industry
