This REWORK podcast episode explores 37signals' approach to team management, contrasting traditional management with a mentorship model. The interview with long-time employee Jeffrey Hardy details the company's evolution from a small team with no managers to a larger organization that experimented with, then abandoned, formal management structures. They now utilize a mentorship system where senior programmers guide junior colleagues, focusing on teaching values, decision-making skills, and problem-solving approaches rather than direct supervision. A key takeaway is the emphasis on hiring self-directed individuals who can make independent decisions and thrive in an environment with variable project scopes. The podcast highlights how this approach fosters a highly efficient and productive team.
