Reed Hastings graduated from Bowdoin College in 1983 and then served in the Peace Corps from 1983-1985 teaching math. He received his Masters in Computer Science from Stanford in 1998. In 1991, he founded Pure Software and sold it in 1997. That same year, he founded Netflix. As the CEO of Netflix, he has made mistakes such as hiring a new sales VP every year from 1991-1996 and lacking managerial experience from 1991-1997. However, he has also had achievements like growing Netflix into a major business with no formal processes since 1997.

1. Reed Hastings CEO
of Netflix

2. Graduated with his bachelors from Bowdoin College in 1983.

3. Taught math in 1983-1985 for the Peace Corps.

4. Received his Masters Degree in Computer Science
from Stanford in 1998.

5. In1991 he founded Pure Software and in 1997 he
sold Pure Software.

6. In1997 Reed founded
Netflix.

7. Failures
1991-1996: Hired a new Sales Vice
President every single year.
1991-1997: Had no managerial experience which
was challenging for him as the CEO.

8. Failures
1991 -1997: He believed he could solve the company's
problems simply by working longer and harder.
He wasn’t confident at his first CEO
position.

9. Achievements
Since 1997: Runs a business
with no process,
but does not have any chaos.
2018: Does not compartmentalize his company.
“We’re like the anti-Apple.”
- Reed Hastings

10. Achievements
He allows healthy debates. “To disagree
silently is disloyal.” -
Reed Hastings
1997: He got a lot of flack for naming his
company Netflix but he knew
the internet would take
over one day and it worked out.

11. • I learned that every CEO will make mistakes and not to be scared
to do so, but be ready to learn from them.
• When running a company it is important tom keep everyone in the
know from CEO to intern.
• I learned you don’t always need the most brilliant people but the
best team-workers.
• I learned that the best ideas can come from anywhere so always be
open minded and aware of your surroundings.
• Don’t ever be satisfied always be ready to work and look for the
new.
What did I learn?

13. Open-minded
“Most entrepreneurial ideas will sound crazy, Stupid and
uneconomic, and then they’ll turn out to be right.”
– Reed Hastings

14. Trust
"I pride myself on making fewer and fewer decisions,”.
"Sometimes I can go a whole quarter without making a decision."
- Reed Hastings

15. Listening
"We want people to speak the truth. We said to disagree
silently is disloyal. It's not okay to let a discussion go
through without saying your piece,”.
- Reed Hastings

16. The Leader’s Perspective
• Never settles no matter how good the product is doing.
• Always thinking in the future.
• Ready to take risks.
• Never afraid to compete.

17. References
Picture 1
https://www.vox.com/2019/3/18/18271916/netflix-apple-reed-hastings-video-plans-
tech-company-regulation-press-conference-ted-sarandos
Picture 2
https://wgme.com/news/local/bowdoin-college-relocating-their-jefferson-davis-plaque
Picture 3
https://www.kstatecollegian.com/2019/02/12/new-peace-corps-representative-at-k-
state-shares-experience-volunteering-info/
Picture 4
https://www.amethodschools.org/m/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=517555&id=1
Picture 5
https://www.businessinsider.sg/reed-hastings-netflix-bio-2015-8/
Picture 6
https://observer.com/2017/07/how-netflix-used-coupons-to-become-a-70-billion-
company-reed-hastings-mark-randolph/

18. References
Picture 7
https://www.ted.com/talks/
reed_hastings_how_netflix_changed_entertainment_and_where_it_s_headed#t-430056
Picture 8
https://awfulannouncing.com/netflix/despite-speculation-netflix-ceo-reed-hastings-
reiterates-no-interest-in-live-sports.html
Picture 9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCn4hdTI2jc
Picture 10
http://fortune.com/2016/06/15/netflix-ceo-hastings-interview/
Picture 11
https://addicted2success.com/entrepreneur-profile/the-success-of-reed-hastings/

19. References
Kline, D.B. (2015) Netflix CEO Reed Hastings On The Beauty Of Making Mistakes
Retrieved from
https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/26/netflix-ceo-reed-hastings-on-
making-mistakes.aspx
TED Talk (2018) How Netflix changed entertainment and where it’s headed Retrieved
from https://www.ted.com/talks/
reed_hastings_how_netflix_changed_entertainment_and_where_it_s_headed#t-430056
Brown, M. (2015) Almost fired twice? Netflix CEO Reed Hastings talks about making
mistakes and disrupting tv as we know it Retrieved from
https://www.geekwire.com/2015/almost-fired-twice-netflix-ceo-reed-hastings-talks-
about-making-mistakes-and-disrupting-tv-as-we-know-it/
Hibler, J. (2019) Reed Hastings American Entrepreneur Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Reed-Hastings