4 ms·

At netflix, when they say they don't want "brilliant jerks", what they mean is they don't want "constant ass holes". Context vs. Control.

• plinkplonk 17y ago
  "At Netflix, when they say they don't want "brilliant jerks", what they mean is they don't want "constant ass holes" ". "constant ass holes" equates to "jerks". How does the "brilliant" part come in to play? pg said "The problem is, not all these people are really jerks. Some just don't like being told what to do." This interpretation makes sense. I've seen this happen in large companies. "He is brilliant and very good at his job, BUT he doesn't take orders (blindly)".
  • elq 17y ago
    No, I'm a jerk not a constant asshole. Most companies try real hard not to hire idiots. Netflix is such a company. Orders are not given at netflix. I choose the project I want to work on. Hence my comment "Context vs. Control", it's taken right out of the presentation.
    • luckyland 17y ago
      Interesting. In your observation how good has the Company been at not hiring these so-called "Brilliant Jerks"? I've found one of the common failures in engineering management is knowing when to get rid of smart but disruptive talent.
      • elq 17y ago
        Not perfect. But they really mean it when they say "adequate performance gets a generous severance package".
        • jodrellblank 17y ago
          Then it's not 'adequate', is it?
          • varaon 17y ago
            My impression from the slides is that they see it as a financial gain if it frees up the job for a higher performer. No mention is made of why they feel the need to offer severance when they're shedding an underperformer, but maybe they want to make it a less negative event. Maybe the strategy is to try and avoid distracting or upsetting the high performers by having underachievers leave on good terms (this could explain the "goodbye" emails).