Valve Handbook for New Employees - Notes
Overview
- Purpose: Guide for new employees to navigate Valve's unique work culture.
- Audience: New hires at Valve Corporation.
- Edition: First Edition, 2012.
Key Features of Valve
- Self-funded: No outside financing.
- Intellectual Property: Valve owns its IP.
- Diverse Company: Beyond gaming; engages in software, platform development.
Flat Organizational Structure
- No Hierarchy: Employees operate without direct management.
- Decision-Making: Employees green-light projects and ship products independently.
- Mobility: Desks with wheels for flexibility in changing workspaces.
Getting Started at Valve
Your First Day
- Complete interview process and contract signing.
- Understand and adapt to Valve's unique culture.
Your First Month
- Self-direct your projects; 100% of time is self-managed.
- Evaluate the most impactful projects and align with personal strengths.
Finding Projects
- Projects are chosen based on personal interest and potential value.
- Interaction and discussions with peers help identify ongoing projects and company status.
Balancing Short-term and Long-term Goals
- Focus on high-impact, immediate tasks while not losing sight of long-term goals.
Teams and Collaboration
- Cabals: Temporary, self-organized project teams.
- Team Leads: Information hubs rather than traditional managers.
- Structure: Fluid and temporary based on project needs.
Work Environment
- Office Perks: Includes free snacks, laundry, and gym access.
- Work Hours: Balance encouraged; overtime seen as a planning failure.
Risk Management
- Failure Tolerance: Mistakes are learning opportunities; freedom to fail.
- Collective Responsibility: Distributed responsibility for company direction.
Performance Evaluation
- Peer Reviews: Annual feedback for personal growth.
- Stack Ranking: Compensation based on peer-assessed value.
Career Advancement
- Roles are fluid and self-defined.
- Advancement is based on individual growth and contribution.
Roles and Growth
- T-shaped People: Seek skills in a broad range of areas with deep expertise in one.
- Learning: Encouraged to expand knowledge beyond core skills.
Hiring and Growth
- Importance of Hiring: Most crucial aspect, ensures high company standards.
- Criteria: Look for collaborative, capable, T-shaped individuals.
- Growth Strategy: Maintain high hiring standards; growth without external pressure.
Challenges and Reflection
- Challenges: Internal communication, mentoring, hiring in new areas.
- Future Focus: Encourages employees to innovate and redefine Valve's trajectory.
Glossary
- Definitions of internal terms and cultural references used within Valve.
These notes summarize the Valve Employee Handbook, providing an overview of its contents and guiding principles for new employees.