Brian Chesky personally oversees hiring, firing, promotions, and management for approximately 40 to 50 Airbnb employees, maintaining close operational involvement. He treats many employees as direct reports, conducts skip-level interactions, participates in co-hiring, and makes retention decisions. Managing that number of employees is intensive yet considered necessary. The management approach centers on forging relationships across the company to remain connected to those doing the work. Founder mode emphasizes direct relationships, frequent skip-level meetings, and active involvement in daily operations, contrasting with manager mode's focus on delegation.
"I treat them all as my directs,"
"I skip level, I co-hire them, and I make decisions on whether or not they're working out and leave the company."
"What you need to do is you need to have relationships with as many people as possible in the company,"
Chesky called the process of managing up to 50 people "a lot of work," but "necessary."
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