How did Instagram's co-founders handle disagreements or conflicts?

Handling disagreements and conflicts is a natural part of any successful business, and Instagram's co-founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, navigated these challenges as they built and scaled the platform. Here's an overview of how they managed conflicts and disagreements:

### 1. **Open Communication and Collaboration**

- **Regular Discussions**: Systrom and Krieger maintained open lines of communication. Regular discussions and brainstorming sessions allowed them to address differences in opinion and align on the company's vision and strategies.

- **Collaborative Problem-Solving**: They focused on collaborative problem-solving, leveraging each other's strengths and perspectives to reach solutions that benefited the company. This approach helped to resolve conflicts constructively.

### 2. **Leveraging Complementary Skills**

- **Complementary Expertise**: Their complementary skills and backgrounds helped balance their perspectives. Systrom's experience in product management and Krieger's expertise in engineering allowed them to approach issues from different angles, often leading to well-rounded solutions.

- **Role Clarity**: By defining clear roles and responsibilities, they minimized potential areas of conflict. Systrom primarily handled product and business aspects, while Krieger focused on engineering and technical issues.

### 3. **Focused Decision-Making**

- **Data-Driven Decisions**: They relied on data and user feedback to guide their decision-making. By using objective data to evaluate options, they could address disagreements with evidence-based insights, which helped in reaching consensus.

- **User-Centric Approach**: Prioritizing the user experience helped to resolve conflicts. If disagreements arose about feature development or product direction, aligning decisions with what was best for users often provided a clear path forward.

### 4. **Advisors and Mentors**

- **Seeking External Input**: When internal conflicts could not be resolved easily, they sought advice from advisors, mentors, or trusted colleagues. External perspectives helped provide clarity and offer alternative solutions.

- **Board Involvement**: As Instagram grew, the board of directors and investors played a role in guiding major decisions. They provided additional viewpoints and helped mediate significant disagreements.

### 5. **Emphasizing Company Culture**

- **Building a Positive Culture**: Systrom and Krieger cultivated a positive and collaborative company culture, which helped manage conflicts. By fostering an environment of respect and openness, they encouraged constructive discussions and problem resolution.

- **Encouraging Open Dialogue**: They promoted an environment where team members felt comfortable expressing their opinions and concerns. This openness helped address and resolve conflicts more effectively.

### 6. **Handling Founders' Disputes**

- **Structured Discussions**: When disagreements arose between Systrom and Krieger, they handled them through structured discussions. By addressing conflicts openly and seeking common ground, they maintained a strong working relationship.

- **Focus on Shared Goals**: Despite occasional disagreements, they focused on their shared goals and vision for Instagram. Keeping the larger mission in mind helped them navigate conflicts and stay aligned.

### 7. **Conflict Resolution Mechanisms**

- **Internal Processes**: As the company grew, they developed internal processes and mechanisms for conflict resolution, including formal meetings and decision-making frameworks that helped address disputes efficiently.

- **Delegation**: When appropriate, they delegated decisions to relevant teams or individuals within the company. This approach allowed for conflicts to be managed at different levels without impeding overall progress.

### 8. **Navigating External Pressures**

- **Managing Investor Expectations**: Handling conflicts with investors or stakeholders required balancing internal perspectives with external pressures. They worked to address investor concerns while staying true to their vision and strategy.

- **Strategic Compromises**: In some cases, strategic compromises were necessary to align with business needs or investor expectations. Finding middle ground helped resolve conflicts while maintaining company growth.

### 9. **Adaptability and Evolution**

- **Evolving Strategies**: They adapted their strategies and approaches over time to address new challenges and conflicts. This adaptability allowed them to stay responsive to changing conditions and maintain a cohesive vision.

- **Learning from Experience**: They learned from past conflicts and disagreements, applying those lessons to improve their decision-making processes and conflict resolution strategies in the future.

In summary, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger managed conflicts and disagreements through open communication, collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on shared goals. Their complementary skills, positive company culture, and external advice also played key roles in effectively navigating challenges and maintaining a successful partnership.