How did Instagram's founders manage the company culture?

Instagram's founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, managed the company culture by creating a strong and consistent set of values, prioritizing employee well-being, and fostering a collaborative and creative work environment. Here are some specific ways that Instagram's founders managed the company culture:

1. Defining Core Values - From the beginning, Instagram's founders established a set of core values that defined the company's culture and guided its decision-making. These values included things like transparency, inclusivity, and a commitment to creating a positive impact on the world. By defining these values early on, Instagram's founders were able to create a strong and consistent culture that resonated with employees.
2. Prioritizing Employee Well-Being - Instagram's founders recognized that happy and healthy employees were essential to the company's success. They prioritized employee well-being by offering generous benefits packages, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for professional development. They also encouraged employees to take time off and prioritize their mental health, recognizing that burnout and stress could have a negative impact on productivity and creativity.
3. Fostering Collaboration - Instagram's founders believed that collaboration and teamwork were essential to the company's success. They created a work environment that encouraged cross-functional collaboration and open communication, breaking down silos between departments and promoting a sense of shared ownership and responsibility.
4. Encouraging Creativity - Instagram's founders recognized that creativity was at the heart of the company's success. They encouraged employees to think creatively and take risks, providing them with the resources and support they needed to bring their ideas to life. They also celebrated successes and failures alike, recognizing that both were essential to the creative process.
5. Leading by Example - Instagram's founders led by example, demonstrating the values and behaviors that they expected from their employees. They were transparent and honest in their communication, prioritized employee well-being, and fostered a collaborative and creative work environment. By leading in this way, they were able to create a culture that reflected their own values and priorities.

Overall, Instagram's founders managed the company culture by creating a strong and consistent set of values, prioritizing employee well-being, fostering collaboration and creativity, and leading by example. These efforts helped to create a positive and engaging work environment that attracted and retained top talent, and that contributed to the company's success.