Culture in the Long Run

/ Cali, Design, Product

Over the years, I’ve been really curious about company culture. It’s always fun reading articles talking about how you shouldn’t F up company culture. But if you read between the lines, there’s actually a financial reason why culture matters in the long run for start-ups. Given enough time, you’re probably going to move on or get fired… and the only influence you’ll have on the company is the culture you’ve left behind.

You know, I actually hear ex-founders talking about how they don’t recognize any of the new faces in their company. It’s fascinating to think about how all those new faces are working every day to build value (and making the company worth more).

The interesting thing about culture is that it’s hard to change for the better after things have gone south. So it seems really important to establish the right direction really early.

It all starts with the founders and the first hire. I’ve been told that the first hire is like mitosis—the first cell division in an organization that carries its DNA. One of my mentors explained to me, “your first hire will echo all of your best and worst attributes.”

So with that in mind, I’m trying to be more conscious of my attitude and perspective. I constantly ask myself questions like: How do we build values around innovation and a relentless work ethic into our DNA? How do we balance decisions based on data versus gut instinct? How do we handle disagreements and distractions? How do we set an example of excellence? How do we learn from our mistakes and run more efficiently? And ultimately, how do build things we’re genuinely proud of and have fun?

Anyways, big f’n kudos to any of the leaders out there that have built a successful culture. It’s not easy, and it’s certainly not luck. And yeh, when its done right, culture can be a lucrative thing. It’s a bet I’m ready to double down on.

The Product Metronome

/ Design, Me, Product

”Product is the metronome of a team”

Hooman’s been feeding me with some profound nuggets of advice. As I dive into the role of product, he explained that it’s more than just creating growth and delivering things. It’s about helping the team find a cadence and rhythm not only for releasing, but an attitude around a company. When you’re calm, cool and clear, everyone around you will mirror that—and that’s a part of building product culture. Creating a cadence is something I’m going to have to work on. And being consistent with that will set an example of excellence.

If you had to choose between two teams (with the same output), which would you rather have?

a) A wired team filled with raw horse power and brute force?
b) A calm team that’s highly efficient that continually improves.

And the real question that Hooman alluded to—“which one is going to scale better in the long run?”

As I take on this new challenge, I will need to find balance in my life. Finding some zen will help me become a better metronome. The best is in front of us, and I look forward to our team playing together as a symphony.

”All great leaders have a platform of people that they can lean on.”

Hooman hit me with another bit of sound advice. For example, Mark Zuckerberg always seems to have a calm cool persona… but he relies on a network of people around him to put his thoughts together. But what most people don’t realize is how much he leans on his platform of advisors to guide him. Same goes with the president of the United States. One could say this about all leaders.

When Hooman asked me who I could talk to about the following things, I didn’t really have a good structure for how I utilized my network:

  • Someone to bounce creative ideas.
  • Someone to vent to when I’m frustrated.
  • Someone to run through strategy and growth.
  • Etc.

Having a network of people that you can lean on for wisdom, creativity and sometimes to lend an ear, is a platform that you can use. And the sum of having a platform of people you can lean on plus acting as a metronome is a great formula for becoming a leader.

It’s a lot to think about… but I’m pretty excited to be working on creating new systems, not just for design, but for building companies. This is going to be epic.

The Scale of an Argument

/ Design, LOL

Often times we’ll disagree at work. And some folks will argue just to argue. Sometimes I find myself guilty of this. The key thing is to give up the small battles to win the big ones. On a scale of 1 to 10, here’s how I rate the intensity of my arguments:


1. Let’s just hug it out.


2. I’m walking away.


3. Pillow fight!


4. I’m getting territorial.


5. I’m trying to negotiate with you calmly.


6. We’re flipping the bird.


7. I will take a slap to the face to win.


8. I will take a kick to the face to win.


9. I will take a kick to the nuts to win.


10. I stand in front of a train to win.



So, the next time you find yourself arguing with a coworker, use this scale (or a version of your own). You may find that you’re at a 5, and they’re at a 9… or vice versa.

Most arguments aren’t really worth the time. By letting go of the small ones, you build up social equity, and you can put that towards the big fights that matter.

Tour of Contactually

/ Design, Me, Photo

Over the weekend, Brandon (one of my old colleagues) showed me his new gig at Contactually. He’s got a pretty good thing going there, in terms of space and growth. I’m digging the culture and took some notes.



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As you can see, the space is open. That little fence is to keep the dogs in. They’ve got about 6 or 7 roaming around during the day.



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Here’s a pic of some of the future in their entrance. Apparently someone over there has a knack for cool stuff. The chairs aren’t comfortable, but boy they’re cool.



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When you first enter, you notice that they’re packed in there like sardines. I can’t imagine how loud it gets there… but I bet it’s pretty crazy.



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I’m serious, it’s pretty packed in there. I mean, if someone farted, the entire office would know immediately.



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Here’s a pic of Brandon’s desk. I’m really impressed by how far he’s come in such a short time. I only expect great things coming from the things he touches.



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I’m not entirely sure what their company does, but their culture starts to make sense by the barrage of posters around their office.



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This one was great.



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LOL. It’s nice to see that kind of environment. I kind of miss those days.



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They have a pretty cool kitchen. Really nice layout… I’m going to have to borrow from this in the future.



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And their conference rooms. These are pretty cool. Kind of reminds me of the photos of the pixar studios.



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It definitely looks cooler on the outside. I think the inside needs some work. Hah!



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This is where their engineers work.



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One of their lead engineers is a cowboy. He broke the rules and built his own desk out of cardboard.



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And they have a pretty cool basement. It’s probably too cluttered with furniture, but it has potential.

Anyway, thanks Brandon for giving me a tour of Contactually. You guys have an awesome space, and it looks like the sky’s the limit.

NOVA UX Panel Talking about 2015 Trends

/ Design, Me

Yesterday, I went to a Nova UX panel to listen to some folks talk about 2015 design trends.

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I’m not sure if I agree with all the things they talked about, but I guess that’s why we go to these things—to listen other people’s perspectives.

California Pt.3: Day 2 (Dropbox)

/ Cali, Design, Me, Photo

Wow, I haven’t had a chance to post the rest of my photos from Cali. It’s been a whirlwind over here.

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Some of Patrick’s roommates were nice enough to give us a tour of Dropbox. They have a saying over there, “It just works”. It’s probably been one of the most profound things I’ve heard in a while. It’s not just a sign on the wall—it’s in the air they breath.



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I really like how they’ve invested so much into culture. They describe things as looking polished on the outside, but it’s total chaos internally.

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Part of that is because they weigh their organization around product delivery, and making “it just work”. Reaching that kind of level requires doing anything necessary to get the job done right.

Their CTO also has penchant for product. He emphasizes QA and it’s a huge part of the design process there.

Anyway, more on this later. I have more photos that I’ll have to dig up from my iPhone. ^_^