The four words that will land you in strife at Netflix

How do you ensure you’ve got the right people working for your business? Or as business growth expert Jim Collins puts it: how do you get the right people on the bus and the right people off it?

It’s a question that confounds any business owner, but hiring and firing decisions can make or break small businesses and startups.

There are even times when regardless of how talented someone is, they’re simply not the right person for your business (just ask Twitter founder Jack Dorsey).

An employee’s attitude towards their work is an essential part of this equation and that’s a lesson that Netflix has learnt as it transformed itself from a DVD rental company to a giant in the content streaming industry.

Speaking at the 2018 Online Retailer trade event in Sydney recently, Netflix co-founder Mitch Lowe gave some insights into how the company ensures it has the right people on its bus, reports news.com.au.

Netflix employees are expected to “behave like owners and pick up trash”, said Lowe, which is a reflection of their ability to be self-motivating, self-aware, self-disciplined and self-improving.

And these employees are not allowed to say the words: “That’s not my job”.

Having a team where no one avoids tasks or responsibilities creates a healthy workplace where everyone treats each other well, said Lowe.

“Staff come to work and know they’re going to have a great day without having to deal with someone who will make their day awful — whether it’s a boss or a peer, it doesn’t matter,” Lowe said at the event last month.

“You could be the best engineer in the world, but if you disrespect people and treat them badly, you’re gone immediately.”

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