Earlier quoted context omitted.
I worked there. It's clearly a more focused environment than other SV companies I've seen since. Tobi works hard and does the right thing. I think the challenge was actually the first rung of middle managers not being smart enough to understand the long term focus. That's part that's hard to scale. But the leaders walked the talk and empowered others to do so.
"Tobi works hard and does the right thing." What does it mean to "work hard" at a white collar job when you don't work long hours? Honestly curious.
- Staying focused on the task and cut unnecessary distractions
- Make yourself accountable and deliver what you set out to deliver
- Hold yourself to the same standards as you expect everyone else
- Be true to yourself, your beliefs and always ensure that you lead in such a way that reflects and demonstrates those values to the rest of the company
- Be smart about time management, use "uncreative" hours to get other work done
- Don't indefinitely postpone less exciting work if it is important and make it a priority to get done
- Be on time, if you schedule meetings with other people don't let them wait and value their time as much as you value your own time
- Surround yourself with other smart people and keep an open mind to ideas which differ to your own
- Control your emotions and don't make wrong choices in the moment of heat, stress or fear
- etc.
It would be really easy (especially as a founder) to not do many of these things and it takes real dedication and effort to lead by good example. I'd call that hard work.