Inspired by Netflix and ResMed: Exploring Companies That Embody Leadership

By May 1st, 2018HR Blog

Peter-Farrell-Resmed-Prof-Headshot-2-250x300By Devon Beck

It is no secret that successful, innovative workplaces are built upon a foundation of leadership. Building a strong, successful company requires commitment, determination, and a great team. There are a lot of ingredients that go into creating and maintaining a flourishing, profitable company.

Out of all of the ingredients that go into making a company respected and admired, in addition to being good at what they do, the most important ingredient is leadership. Leadership goes beyond theory and involves action.  It incorporates many different aspects, from establishing and living out the company’s values to creating a team of committed employees and results that include satisfied customers who can’t wait to come back for more.

Every company embodies and lives out leadership differently, but practicing leadership well distinguishes truly great companies from the rest.

Netflix is one company that has taken leadership to the next level. In an article published in the January/February issue of the Harvard Business Review, Patty McCord explores Netflix’s innovative, controversial approaches to leadership and HR. Among the approaches Netflix adopted is the idea that people could take as much vacation time as they wanted and creating a work environment where employees are afforded some freedom. While these approaches may be considered untraditional and even risky, Netflix reports their profits have increased substantially since implementing some of these employee-friendly changes.

Similarly, we don’t have to look far from our own local business environment to find examples of success and leadership.  Among these success stories is ResMed, a San Diego based medical device company which is known for products that help to treat sleep apnea and other sleep-disordered breathing and respiratory problems. Dr. Peter Ferrell, founder and chairman of ResMed, has taken the company from infancy to global success, propelling ResMed from just six employees at its founding 25 years ago, to being a global market leader with $1.5 billion in revenue in 2013.  Dr. Ferrell will discuss his approach to leadership, entrepreneurship, and people development, including revealing his “Five Elements of Leadership,” in a Strategic Leadership Series presentation on Thursday, March 27th at Admiral Baker Clubhouse.  To discover more from a local business leader who has inspired and helped thousands of people, attend the event, and check back for an update on Dr. Farrell’s talk in the weeks to come.

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