Our mantra at Neoleads is straightforward: better to act first and seek approval later, if at all
A decade and four years since Naval Ravikant and Babak Nivi set Venture Hacks into motion, offering sage advice to startups, the landscape has drastically transformed. Despite these changes, the essence and wisdom encapsulated in Venture Hacks have withstood the test of time. In reissuing select pieces from Naval and Babak, we aim to enlighten and embolden a fresh wave of entrepreneurs and investors, preserving the original messages with only slight alterations.
- At the heart of Neoleads culture is a bold stance: we advocate for action forgiveness over permission.
- We favor initiative, even at the risk of missteps, over the hesitation of seeking consent.
- Ideally, we celebrate actions that hit the mark without the need for prior approval, a scenario that frequently plays out.
- Our preference? Enable direct deployment to production, sidestepping cumbersome internal reviews. Corrections can be made live. User feedback trumps all. Introducing new features to a subset of users allows us to refine and improve as we gradually broaden access.
Boosting Speed and Diversity by Skipping Permissions
By removing the need for permission, we quicken our pace and enrich our choices.
Certain critical aspects of our product do remain guarded, reserved for expert evaluation. Such exceptions are, however, exceedingly rare.
The Mechanism Behind It
This philosophy thrives on the back of exceptionally talented and intelligent team members, alongside a readiness to part ways with those who don’t align. We look for individuals driven by our mission, dedicated to our customers, and eager for knowledge.
This doesn’t imply an absence of leadership guidance or quality checks. The essence of these principles is to ensure excellence amidst the inherent drive to explore alternate avenues.
This framework wouldn’t stand without the support of what some might call corporate lore:
If It Breaks, It’s Yours to Fix
Mistakes happen when freedom reigns, but prompt rectification is key.
For a team empowered to launch at will, attention to detail is non-negotiable, underpinned by a culture of constructive critique aimed at excellence.
Mistakes aren’t a deal-breaker; they’re the flip side of agility and innovation. We value meticulousness because it reflects our commitment to quality.
Keeping It Real
In a world where deployment is at everyone’s discretion, how do we ensure wise choices? By embracing authenticity. Treating users and colleagues with genuine respect and integrity is the path to right action.
Act on Your Conviction (And Make Sure You’re Right)
With great freedom comes the onus of accuracy.
The Power Lies With the Creator
We empower those on the ground, doing the work, with decision-making authority, encapsulated in the belief, “they who code, rule.” Disagreements defer to the doer.
Complete Ownership
Decentralizing decisions proves most effective when the individual is accountable for outcomes. Our ideal structure includes autonomous teams responsible for their metrics, focusing on customer-centric solutions.
A Symphony of Freedom and Accountability
These principles are our rendition of the balance between freedom and accountability—a theme echoed by giants like Netflix and Valve, and possibly conceptualized by Peter Drucker decades ago. While not claiming originality or flawless execution, these values form the blueprint of our operations.
Liberty:
- Favor forgiveness over permission
- Trust and validate your judgment
- The creators hold the reins
Accountability:
- Accept and rectify your errors
- Prioritize precision and nuance
- Uphold authenticity
- Take full responsibility
Join our team if this resonates with you—we’re expanding.
