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No Rules Rules cover art

No Rules Rules

Written by: Reed Hastings,Erin Meyer
Narrated by: Jason Culp,Allyson Ryan
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Publisher's Summary

Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings reveals for the first time the unorthodox culture behind one of the world's most innovative, imaginative, and successful companies.

There has never before been a company like Netflix. It has led nothing short of a revolution in the entertainment industries, generating billions of dollars in annual revenue while capturing the imaginations of hundreds of millions of people in more than 190 countries. But to reach these great heights, Netflix, which launched in 1998 as an online DVD rental service, has had to reinvent itself over and over again. 

This type of unprecedented flexibility would have been impossible without the counterintuitive and radical management principles that cofounder Reed Hastings established from the very beginning. Hastings rejected the conventional wisdom under which other companies operate and defied tradition to instead build a culture focused on freedom and responsibility, one that has allowed Netflix to adapt and innovate as the needs of its members and the world have simultaneously transformed. Hastings set new standards, valuing people over process, emphasizing innovation over efficiency, and giving employees context, not controls. At Netflix, there are no vacation or expense policies. At Netflix, adequate performance gets a generous severance, and hard work is irrelevant. At Netflix, you don’t try to please your boss, you give candid feedback instead. At Netflix, employees don’t need approval, and the company pays top of market. When Hastings and his team first devised these unorthodox principles, the implications were unknown and untested. But in just a short period, their methods led to unparalleled speed and boldness, as Netflix quickly became one of the most loved brands in the world. 

Here for the first time, Hastings and Erin Meyer, best-selling author of The Culture Map and one of the world’s most influential business thinkers, dive deep into the controversial ideologies at the heart of the Netflix psyche, which have generated results that are the envy of the business world. Drawing on hundreds of interviews with current and past Netflix employees from around the globe and never-before-told stories of trial and error from Hastings’s own career, No Rules Rules is the fascinating and untold account of the philosophy behind one of the world’s most innovative, imaginative, and successful companies.

*Includes a PDF containing examples of Netflix Culture Maps from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer (P)2020 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

“Given the current hostility to the technology sector, the rejection of established H.R. wisdom and intensity of the organizational upheaval promoted by No Rules Rules may generate controversy. Mr. Hastings could have remained under the radar during the Silicon Valley’s cultural maelstrom. Instead, he has entered the fray with an important contribution that provides the beginnings of a road map for the sector to regain trust.... No Rules Rules demonstrates that it is not only possible to pursue both freedom and responsibility at the same time, but that for Silicon Valley and the rest of us to thrive together, it is essential.” (The New York Times)

“Hastings, CEO and cofounder of Netflix, and Meyer, a business professor at INSEAD, team up to explore the organizational cultures, successes, and lessons learned within Netflix...taking turns throughout the book to explain a situation or practice. This format feels conversational, and makes the book very easy to follow.... Informative, thought provoking, and down-to-earth.” (Booklist)

"In alternating sections with Meyer, who provides elaboration based on more than 200 Netflix interviews, Hastings details the making of the Netflix way, from hiring the best creative talent at high pay to increasing candor through frequent feedback and gradually removing controls that stifle innovation.... Fascinating story of a counterintuitive approach that apparently works." (Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about No Rules Rules

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Too good for a headline. Please read my review.

As a young 27 year old 5th year real estate agent, I bought this booking looking to learn more about the art of disrupting and changing an industry. Though there was certainly some of that, what I found in this book was equally, if not more valuable.

Whether you're an employee, a student, or an employer, this is a must-read. The culture, dynamics of their workplace, and values, were all completely new information for me. I don't want to go into detail in this review as there is no way I can articulate it half as well as they do, but this book dramatically changed what I'm looking for in an employer as well as how I plan to run any startup or business I go into. This is NOT your average business book or leadership book. I would go as far as saying I would ask every potential employer if they've read this book and what their thoughts are.

As far as audiobooks go, this was beautifully presented, very engaging, densely packed with valuable information, and digestible enough that you don't need to be a genius to gain value from it.

I'm a person who has a hard time paying attention. I likely have some form of attention disorder, so for me to be able to get through a book means the book was perfectly written or presented. Please buy this. I promise it will be one of the best decisions you'll make. After reading this, Netflix sounds like the type of workplace I'd love to work at.

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Loved that book

We are a tech company and for the first time we did the feedback exercise described in the book… WOW! Such a great asset for a company !

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A Dry Lessons in Business Netflix Textbook

More of a dry textbook tone and lessons in business using their company Netflix as the model and template. Way more “inside baseball” than I realized when I purchased the audiobook. Only lasted about an hour and had to return it. Reads/listens like a Netflix training video or business class. Which if that’s what you’re looking for, perfect! Might be the book for you.

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Must Read

This is a great book. How to lead in the age of the thought worker. Freedom and Responsibility are paramount.

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Interesting but not for all companies

Netflix had been extremely successful and a disruptive company. You need this kind of thinking to be different and attract the proper tribe

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Not bad at all

Not a bad audiobook. I enjoyed it and think it's something I would listen to again in the future

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Amazing content

This was an amazing book. It was filled with practical knowledge, examples and methods to implement many aspects to a growing company.

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Amazing insight on how to create an innovative culture of transformation

Absolutely loved No Rules Rules as it provided insight on the importance of Talent Density and candor to create a culture of flexibility and responsibility.

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An exciting change in business management

I found this to be a fun book to read. I enjoyed hearing the real-world examples of Reed Hasting’s experience with the Freedom and Responsibility method of leading.
The book is well written and thought provoking.

Low rating on performances because the male voice was very monotone and became hard to listen to after a while.

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Changes leadership paradigms

This book is for executives who are looking to work towards an agile and innovative enterprise. The book provides a great roadmap to get you started on your journey. Excellent book.

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