Netflix 4A feedback principles: Free PowerPoint Template
How to give and receive feedback the Netflix way.
Netflix is not just an online streaming service, but also a company with a distinctive culture. It is one of the most admired tech companies in the world and has been the subject of much study and research ever since it was founded in 1997.
The company’s performance has been outstanding: Netflix’s market capitalization exceeds $100 billion (September 2022), making it one of the world’s most valuable companies. The culture at Netflix has become a key factor in its success.
This leadership PowerPoint template based on Netflix's 4A feedback principles helps you form an authentic and supportive company culture.
Netflix Culture - Believe in transparency
Netflix is very transparent in many ways. The company publishes a lot of data about its performance and gives a lot of visibility to the way it manages its operations. This extends to the company culture and to the way it manages people.
For example, at Netflix, employee performance is based on ratings given by colleagues. This can cause anxiety among employees, but the company has created a culture that mitigates that anxiety.
During the performance review period, employees are introduced to the other people who work in their areas and are invited to ask questions if they want more visibility into how their colleagues will base their ratings.
How to give and receive feedback the Netflix way - the 4A principles
People are usually bad at giving and receiving feedback. But knowing how to give and receive candid and open feedback is an extremely valuable leadership skill. It is a major cornerstone of authentic and supportive company culture.
This template shows netflix’s culture and guideline on how to give and receive valuable and supportive feedback. It is based on Reed Hastings and Erin Meyers book “No rules rules” or the Netflix company culture deck.
According to Reed Hastings: 'a successful culture is one where members can disagree openly and move forward with candor'
Reed Hastings philosophy is embodied in Netflix's 4A feedback framework. Thereby, feedback works when it aims to assist (good intention), is actionable and the recipient is appreciative, open-minded, and free to accept or discard the feedback.
Netflix's 4A feedback framework
Netflix 4a feedback guidelines. They sum it up in a "4A format."
When giving feedback…
1. Aim to assist
- Feedback must be given with positive intent.
- Feedback should be framed on how it can help the individual or the company.
- Giving feedback to intentionally hurting the person is not tolerated.
2. Actionable
- Feedback must focus on what the recipient can do differently.
- It has to be in a way the receiving person can act upon.
When receiving feedback…
3. Appreciate
- Humans naturally become defensive upon hearing criticism.
- Rather than immediately reacting, the receiver needs to listen carefully and be open minded without being defensive or
angry.
4. Accept or Discard
- Listen and consider all feedback, but the receiver is not required to follow it.
- The decision to react to the feedback is entirely up to the recipient.
Summary
Netflix is not only the most successful online streaming service in the world, it is also one of the most admired tech companies.
Its feedback culture has become a key factor in its success. Netflix strictly follows its 4A principles - Aim to assist, Actionable, Appreciate, Accept or Discard.
To apply the feedback principles in your company, just download our Netflix 4A feedback template.
