That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea

by Marc Randolph

one of our engineering managers came to me with a peculiar request. His girlfriend had moved to San Diego and he was trying to keep their relationship on stable footing. “How would you feel,” he asked, “if I left work early on Fridays to fly down to San Diego?” He explained that he would work from there on Monday, fly back home Monday night, and be in the office Tuesday morning. My answer probably surprised him. “I don’t care where you work, or what hours you work. Work from Mars, for all I care. If all you’re asking me is about when you work and where you do it, that’s an easy answer: it makes no difference to me. “But,” I continued, “if what you’re really asking me is whether I’m willing to lower my expectations for you and your group so that you can spend time with your girlfriend? Well, that’s an easy answer, too. No.” He looked at me uncertainly. I could see his dreams of San Diego weekends fading away. “Look, where and when you work is entirely up to you. If you can run your group effectively on three and a half days a week in the office, all power to you. Go ahead—I’m envious. Wish I was smart enough to do that. Just remember: You’re a manager. Part of your job is making sure that your team knows what you want them to accomplish and why it’s important. Do you think you can do that without being around?” Needless to say, his girlfriend was a free agent shortly thereafter.