Mentioned in: _ No Rules Rules. Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention
Tags: Hiring, Team Culture

The keeper test

The keeper text is:

If a person on your team were to quit tomorrow, would you try to change their mind? Or would you accept their resignation, perhaps with a little relief?
If the latter, you should give them a severance package now, and look for a star, someone you would fight to keep.

Netflix will fire you if you are not the best. But while they are the best you will save them.

It makes some people feel anxious. There are 2 ways Netflix deals with it:

1. The keeper test prompt. You can ask your manager: "If I were thinking of leaving, how hard would you work to change my mind?". There are 3 possible outcomes: boss will fight hard for you – good; boss gives you uncertain response and gives you feedback what you need to improve – also good; boss won't fight – bad.
2. Post-exit Q&A.