TL;DR: Work Rules

I read books so you don't have to

"Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead"

Summary

Laszlo Bock, the former Senior Vice President of People Operations at Google, offers an inside look into Google's unique approach to HR and shares actionable insights that can be applied to any organization.

Key Takeaway #1: Hiring is the most important thing you do

Hire for "learning ability" rather than just skills and experience. At Google, they value people who are curious, adaptable, and eager to learn. They believe that skills can be taught, but the ability to learn quickly and apply new knowledge is a key predictor of success.

Key Takeaway #2: Culture eats strategy for breakfast

Create a culture of psychological safety. In order to foster innovation and creativity, people need to feel safe to take risks and make mistakes. At Google, they encourage open communication, feedback, and collaboration, and they make it safe for people to speak up and share their ideas.

Key Takeaway #3: Let the inmates run the asylum

Treat your employees like adults. Google trusts their employees to manage their own schedules, take time off when they need it, and make their own decisions about how to do their work. They believe that treating people like responsible adults leads to greater motivation, productivity, and job satisfaction.

My two cents

Some of Laszlo's recommendations may sound obvious today and self congratulatory today, but that's mostly because so many companies have adopted them as best practices since the book was first published in 2015.

This is one of the most useful books I've read for anyone hiring and leading a growing team.