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Brian Chesky, co-founder of Airbnb, believes that the essence of great leadership lies in being deeply present. His concept of "founder mode" flips conventional wisdom on its head: instead of hiring great people and stepping back, Chesky advocates for leaders to stay in the details, especially in the early stages of any initiative. Let’s dive into his unique perspective on leadership and team dynamics.
Breaking the Kitchen-Waiter Dynamic
Chesky likens dysfunctional company dynamics to a restaurant where chefs yell at waiters for stepping into the kitchen. This disconnect often mirrors the relationship between engineering (the chefs) and marketing or sales (the waiters) in companies. Such silos breed inefficiency and frustration.
At Airbnb, Chesky set out to bridge these gaps by fostering collaboration across departments. For example, when Airbnb revamped its product offerings to include Airbnb Experiences, close teamwork between engineering and marketing ensured the product's seamless rollout and success.
Founder Mode: Be in the Details
"Founder mode" is about diving into the nitty-gritty. Chesky insists that great leadership is not about hiring talented people and walking away. Instead, it’s about working closely with your team to ensure alignment, build trust, and set the tone.
He draws an analogy to golf: like a golf instructor monitoring every swing, leaders must stay engaged with their teams, correcting and guiding them until they build "muscle memory." This ensures that teams internalize the company’s values and expectations before being left to operate independently.
The Pitfalls of Absentee Leadership
Chesky warns against hiring executives and immediately giving them free rein. Without hands-on involvement, leaders risk discovering, a year down the line, that things have gone off track. Such situations often lead to damaged morale, loss of trust, and the departure of key hires.
For Airbnb, this lesson came into play during its rapid scaling. Chesky stayed deeply involved in critical areas like product design and customer experience, ensuring the company’s core mission was never diluted.
From Details to Letting Go
Staying in the details doesn’t mean micromanaging forever. Chesky emphasizes that being present early on builds trust and alignment. Over time, this creates a foundation for leaders to step back confidently, knowing their team understands and embodies the company’s vision.
A prime example is Airbnb's design philosophy. By staying involved in the initial stages, Chesky ensured that the company’s focus on user-centric design became ingrained in its culture. Today, this ethos is carried forward by teams across the organization without Chesky’s constant input.
Leadership as an Active Presence
Chesky’s mantra, “Great leadership is presence, not absence,” challenges leaders to rethink how they engage with their teams. It’s not about hovering; it’s about actively shaping and reinforcing a shared vision.
For entrepreneurs and executives alike, Chesky’s approach offers a valuable lesson: stay present, build trust, and then step back—but only when the foundation is strong enough to hold.
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