LEAKED, Facebook employee handbook
Sponsored by: Connect Nigeria
I came across an insightful document—an employee handbook from Facebook, written by Mark Zuckerberg during the company’s early days. Reading it, I gained clarity on why Facebook succeeded in dominating the world. The principles in this handbook offer profound lessons for all of us.
As I share these points, I encourage you to think about how you can apply them in your context. Be a contextual learner. Don’t ask me, “How does this apply to my industry?” Instead, figure it out for yourself. Let’s dive in.
1. No One Cares About What You Say, Only What You Make
The handbook states that people love Facebook because of the value it brings to their lives. No amount of marketing or words could create that connection if the product didn’t deliver.
This is a wake-up call: customers only love you if your product solves a real problem and impacts their lives. If you’re not providing value, you become irrelevant. The only relationship that doesn't require you to offer value is the one with your mother! In every other sphere, relevance comes from solving someone’s problems.
2. Create or Be Replaced
Facebook’s philosophy is that if they don’t create something better than Facebook, someone else will. This mindset led to their acquisition of Instagram for $2 billion and WhatsApp for $19 billion.
The lesson? Out innovate the competition
3. Embrace the Hacker Way
The “hacker way” at Facebook is about pushing boundaries, testing limits, and doing more with less. It’s a mindset of resourcefulness and constant experimentation.
Think about this: How can you do more with what you already have? How can you find unconventional ways to solve problems? This approach is how breakthroughs happen.
4. Be Utilitarian
Facebook’s purpose is to improve people’s lives through utility, not just aesthetics. Their focus is on creating services that enhance the quality of life.
When designing your product or service, ask yourself: How does this truly help someone’s life? Go beyond appearances and focus on tangible benefits.
5. Ruthless Prioritization
Zuckerberg emphasizes the importance of prioritizing what truly matters. If it doesn’t move you forward, remove it.
This principle has been transformative for me. Right now, I’m focusing on two key projects: my 5-day sales challenge in January and my physical dream event in London on March 27. Once I identified these priorities, I committed to them fully.
6. Compare Against Yourself
A conversation with my accountant made this point hit home. She told me, “Coach, your numbers this year are significantly better than last year.” That’s when I realized the importance of comparing yourself to your past performance, not others.
She also observed that I raised my prices in 2024, which contributed to the growth. This was intentional, inspired by the book “10X is Better Than 2X,” which I plan to review with my WhatsApp group in January. The lesson? Prioritize actions that directly impact your growth.
7. Ship It—Perfection is the Enemy
Facebook believes that until a product ships, it doesn’t exist. The same applies to your work. Until you release that product, publish that content, or make that sale, it doesn’t count.
I’ve faced criticism for my imperfect flyers in the past, but I didn’t let that stop me. I shipped my products and improved as I went. Perfectionism can paralyze you. Focus on delivering, not perfecting.
8. Move Fast—The Quick Shall Inherit the Earth
Facebook’s culture is built on speed. “The quick shall inherit the earth,” they say. Procrastination is costly in today’s fast-paced world. Speed of execution often matters more than precision.
In Conclusion
These lessons are powerful reminders to stay focused on relevance, innovation, and action. If you don’t solve problems and create value, you will be forgotten. Prioritize ruthlessly, embrace imperfection, and move fast.
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Merry Christmas