Great topic. Very cool to hear an entrepreneur talking/writing about culture. For sure, in order for innovation to happen you need great minds and personalities who thrive on doing something better than it’s ever been done before. And who have a lot of tenacity. But once you’ve caught hold and, like you said, grow beyond the original 10-20 employees, then what happens?

Most bright, creative people don’t want to be “managed” by some antiquated, out-of-date, repressive ideas about business culture. Especially in Austin.

And I think there’s more that’s needed here than social networking – I think people want to be led by leaders who are inspiring, not only based on their technical and business expertise but also because of their interpersonal qualities. Robert Hogan (leadership author) refers to piles and piles of data that demonstrate that, universally, people want leaders who are competent AND whom they can trust. And how these qualities cascade throughout an organization.

This jives with what you say about culture that thrills the customer. If WP Engine folks go the extra mile, take initiative, have empathy for their customer’s troubles, are happy when the customer are happy ….then your customers can trust your employees are committed to their well-being.

So after WP Engine has selected the right people, how do you continue to grow them and nourish their need for development and well-being? Ah, now we’re entering into my territory…..Paula Zamarra, M.A.

Creating companies that people love, or as you say, thrilling customers, is the job of leadership who understand they are like parents who set the tone and rules of the house.

This leads me to request a follow up article on exactly how you are building culture at WP Engine. Those small and big, tips and tricks and little and big actions. Can you please write up a case study/guide on this?

A great article. Wish I had read it last night when I spoke at Tech Ranch. You hit it right on the nail.

Congrats….it is time for coffee.