One of my buddies started working at OpenDoor recently and was telling me all about their new CEO, Kaz Nejatian.
I heard lots of great things about how he operates and managed to stumble upon his 2025 Blueprint.
I love this idea so much.
We all talk about the things we like in teams, complain or wax poetically about That One Team™ that didn’t do things in a way that we appreciated.
Let’s steal from Kaz and write it down.
#1 I value honesty and integrity above all else
I enjoy working with people of high integrity and virtue. I like to think of myself as that type of person.
It makes everything (seriously, everything) easier to navigate when you work with people that don’t have fragile egos and are always willing to have both feet in reality. This creates space to learn for everyone involved. We should always be learning and attempting to better ourselves.
Be honest. Always. Even if it hurts.
Do what you say.
#2 I value speed over perfection
No idea, product, piece of software, or whatever is perfect on it’s first pass.
We create hypotheses and approximations of what an ideal solution for any problem might be based on the information currently at hand, and it’s almost always not the complete picture. Try things. Break shit. You will never more be intimately intune with a problem than when you are failing at solving it. Lean into this by failing and adapting quickly.
If you can’t make it perfect, at least make it flexible.
#3 I care about the people I work with
I like getting to know the people that I work with. Maybe you’re as weird as I am, and I want to find out. I like making new friends. We are going to do awesome things together, and I want to help you.
#4 I will trust you until you give me a reason not to
Whenever I meet someone, I always assume they are well intentioned and have a good head on their shoulders. My default is high trust. We’re in the same proximity for a reason. You can make mistakes, be wrong about things, maybe even make my life a little harder. I still have your back and trust you.
Never lie to me. I will figure it out, call you out, and attempt to fix our shared trust.
#5 I value direct communication and feedback
I have strong opinions on lots of things, and I will tell you when I disagree with you or have feedback that may help you. I will never intentionally be an asshole about it. I do this because I want everyone to do the same for me. I am not perfect. I have lots to learn. Help me.
If you have insights you think could benefit me, even if you think it might hurt my feelings, I want you to tell me immediately.
#6 I deeply value any and all communication
Communication is the foundation of everything. I want you to talk to me, and I want to talk to you. You need me to hop on a quick call and pair? I got you, homie. Want to primarily communicate async? That’s cool, too. We should have a good rapport and find the best way to communicate with each other. I can adapt, so tell me what style fits you best.
#7 I value getting shit done
I don’t like feeling burdened by process. I like feeling productive. Doing anything and being decisive is always better than doing nothing by committee. I want to move the ball forward and I will try to drag you with me.
#8 I don’t take myself very seriously
If you’re robbing a bank, and your pants fall down, I think it’s okay to laugh, and to let the hostages laugh too, because come on, life is funny
Nothing is so serious that you can’t attempt to have fun while you’re doing it. I will say self-depricating things about myself. I think that’s funny. IF you are lucky enough for me to make fun of you, it’s because I love you.
#9 I value kindness
I have two kiddos. I want them to be kind humans, and do my best to embody that for them to see. It’s free and feels great!
#10 I value good taste in music
This might seem out of place, but talk to me about anything music related and I promise you won’t regret it. Music is the best.
