It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work

About the Author

Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson are influential voices in the business world, known for their unconventional approach to work culture and business management. As the co-founders of 37signals, the company behind the popular project management tool Basecamp, they have not only built a successful software business but have also sparked conversations about how work should be done in modern companies. Fried and Hansson are advocates for a healthier, more sustainable approach to work, which they have detailed in several books, including the best-seller Rework and their latest work, It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work.

Their philosophy is simple yet radical in the current work environment: work doesn’t have to be a chaotic, stress-filled endeavor. Instead, they propose that companies should focus on creating a calm work environment, which not only benefits employees but also enhances productivity and long-term success. This book is a manifesto against the 'hustle culture' that glorifies overwork and burnout.

Main Idea

In It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work, Fried and Hansson challenge the prevailing belief that success in business requires relentless growth, constant hustle, and a willingness to sacrifice personal well-being. They argue that this mindset is not only harmful but also counterproductive. Instead, they advocate for a new way of working that prioritizes sustainable success over constant expansion, personal well-being over burnout, and quality of work over quantity.

The book is structured around a series of essays, each addressing a specific aspect of work culture. These essays offer practical advice on how to create a work environment that is both productive and humane. Fried and Hansson's central thesis is that work should be calm, focused, and intentional—attributes that are often lost in today’s fast-paced, always-on business world.

Table of Contents

1. Pursue Stable Success, Not Growth
2. Give Your Employees Private Time
3. Maintain an Effective Team
4. Embrace Asynchronous Communication
5. Create a Distraction-Free Workspace
6. Invest in Employee Well-being

Pursue Stable Success, Not Growth

The first major idea that Fried and Hansson explore is the importance of pursuing stable success rather than chasing incessant growth. They argue that the obsession with growth at all costs leads to a work environment that is stressful, unsustainable, and ultimately unproductive. This is a direct critique of the 'hustle culture' that glorifies overwork and burnout as necessary evils on the path to success.

According to the authors, growth targets can be demoralizing for employees because they are constantly shifting. When a company’s success is measured by its ability to meet ever-increasing growth targets, employees never have the opportunity to feel satisfied with their accomplishments. As soon as one goal is achieved, another, more challenging target takes its place, creating a never-ending cycle of stress and pressure.

"Growth targets demoralize employees by constantly moving the goalposts of what constitutes well-done work. As soon as the company achieves one arbitrary goal, it starts working toward the next one." - Fried and Hansson

This relentless focus on growth can also lead to unethical behavior. When the primary goal is to meet ambitious growth targets, employees may feel pressured to cut corners, compromise their values, or even engage in outright unethical practices. The authors cite the example of Wells Fargo, where employees opened millions of fraudulent accounts to meet sales goals.

Instead of chasing growth, Fried and Hansson advocate for a different approach: aiming for stable, consistent success. This means setting reasonable goals that focus on delivering a quality product, providing excellent customer service, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance for employees. In their view, a company that pursues stable success is more likely to be sustainable in the long term and less likely to experience the high levels of employee burnout and turnover that plague many fast-growing companies.