How Airbnb’s CEO Used Steve Jobs’ Playbook to Build an $84 Billion Empire and Revolutionize Hiring

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky’s "Founder Mode" Strategy: A Blueprint for Success

In the competitive landscape of AI talent acquisition, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky champions the "founder mode" approach as a cornerstone for corporate resilience. This strategy, inspired by Apple's Steve Jobs, emphasizes agility, hands-on leadership, and a flat organizational structure to navigate the challenges of the modern business world.

The Essence of Founder Mode

• Nimble Business Hierarchy: Chesky argues that in the age of AI, companies must operate with the agility of a startup to adapt and thrive.
• Beyond CEOs: The founder mode philosophy is applicable across various sectors, including government and nonprofits, focusing on collaboration over control.

Airbnb’s Turnaround Story

Facing a 72% revenue drop during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chesky implemented drastic measures:

• Streamlining Operations: Eliminated unnecessary management layers, focusing on experts leading key functions.
• Strategic Layoffs: Reduced workforce by 25% to preserve core operations.

The Result: A remarkable recovery, culminating in a $100 billion IPO valuation in 2020 and Airbnb’s inclusion in the Fortune 500 by 2023.

Chesky’s Hiring Strategy: 5 Key Tips

1. Focus on Impact, Not Titles: Prioritize candidates based on their contributions rather than their resume highlights.
2. Be a Detective: Conduct thorough reference checks to verify candidates’ claims.
3. Ask Better Questions: Dig deep during interviews to uncover the true capabilities of candidates.
4. Recruit Beyond Openings: Build a network of potential candidates for future opportunities.
5. Dig Deeper in Interviews: Use follow-up questions to move beyond surface-level answers.

Innovation Continues

Under Chesky’s leadership, Airbnb continues to innovate, recently introducing features that allow guests to book unique experiences alongside their stays.