Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Why Culture Should Be Your Central Focus

founderdating.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–16 of 16 posts

Re: Why Culture Should Be Your Central Focus

#11

Post by davekashen »

tehwalrus wrote: post #7
theorique wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm curious to know, what would you add that you missed in the cultures that you worked in in the past? And what would you delete that you would prefer not to have as part of the culture?

OK, so at the various minimum wage jobs I've worked at, there was a serious attitude of "I'm paid to lift things/fix things/make coffee, not to care about this company." That's fine, but I don't want to work there thanks (unless I'm a teenager with no other option, again.) However, at the software company I worked for, the attitude was "we love this company because they buy us beer!". This was cool in that they paid…

I think you're pointing to the importance of fit, and making sure you work for a company whose mission inspires you and whose values align with yours. If both the employer and employees were committed to this, we'd have a lot more happy, successful companies. Some people love the beer/party atmosphere and want that in their workplace. But too often, startups create that atmosphere because that's what they see others do or because that's what they think they should do to attract young engineers. You've got to be true to yourself. [cue Ziggy Marley music...]

Re: Why Culture Should Be Your Central Focus

#13

Post by theorique »

tehwalrus wrote: post #10
theorique wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks! I don't mind the presence of "beer culture" so much as long as it's in addition to ridiculously high compensation, and not a sleight of hand to distract people and then underpay them relative to norms ("Look! We're a STARTUP! We have video games! And BEER!") My attitude is: show me the money ... then we can talk culture. ;)

The company wasn't really a startup anymore, since it was a services business with like 40 employees (now they have even more than that.) They paid quite well, but not well enough to compensate for the poor culture! With respect to money, I think I'd have to be very well paid to get me to work for a company without a cool mission now (and, conversely, I'd happily get paid less to be doing something I believed in - he…

I hear that. It's nice to have both (money / culture), and certainly one can be traded for the other. Few people go into investment banking or corporate law for the culture (although the culture certainly teaches them that they are "the best") - they are in it for money.

The thing I don't like is when people are misled about the bargain - hearing "we're not about money, we're changing the world, you need to work 18h a day" from someone who will benefit exponentially more from a successful outcome than the slave he's whipping.

Re: Why Culture Should Be Your Central Focus

#14

Post by ExpiredLink »

davekashen wrote: post #12
ExpiredLink wrote: post #5

For a moment I thought he meant culture in the true sense of the word. The title would have made more sense then.

What do you think culture is in the 'true sense of the word'?

"the act of developing the intellectual and moral faculties especially by education"

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture

Re: Why Culture Should Be Your Central Focus

#15

Post by tehwalrus »

davekashen wrote: post #11
tehwalrus wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OK, so at the various minimum wage jobs I've worked at, there was a serious attitude of "I'm paid to lift things/fix things/make coffee, not to care about this company." That's fine, but I don't want to work there thanks (unless I'm a teenager with no other option, again.) However, at the software company I worked for, the attitude was "we love this company because they buy us beer!". This was cool in that they paid…

I think you're pointing to the importance of fit, and making sure you work for a company whose mission inspires you and whose values align with yours. If both the employer and employees were committed to this, we'd have a lot more happy, successful companies. Some people love the beer/party atmosphere and want that in their workplace. But too often, startups create that atmosphere because that's what they see others…

I agree with pretty much all of that. Nice wide-angle on what I said, thanks!

Re: Why Culture Should Be Your Central Focus

#16

Post by lectrick »

theorique wrote: post #6
tehwalrus wrote: post #3

My objection to pretty much every place I've worked has boiled down to the workplace culture. During the "mini MBA for scientists" that my Uni runs for grad students, they explained quite a lot of the psychology around organisational culture. As such, this article was kind of "well, duh!" for me - One of the things I'd be most exited about if I ever do start my own organisation will be being able to invent a culture…

I'm curious to know, what would you add that you missed in the cultures that you worked in in the past? And what would you delete that you would prefer not to have as part of the culture?

1) Prioritize my happiness. That will make me care and will get more productivity out of me, ultimately.

2) Let me estimate my own work. Make it somewhat flexible (within reason). Don't tie me to point systems or other work estimation methodologies; they are all worse than an intelligent human knowing what you're up to and many kinds of "work" are not accounted for in such systems (assisting coworkers, mentoring, researching etc.)

3) Don't block Internet sites. Trust me to use what is available to me to DO my job instead of DODGE my job.

4) 12-2pm is lunch AND outdoors/physical exercise time. No exceptions. Work hours are 9am-noon and 2pm-5pm. Get your things done and focus and then get the heck out and enjoy your life. If you finish early, leave early. Just be here more or less on time at 9am.

Post reply on HN