Basecamp CEO Jason Fried: We Banned Talking Politics and 1/3 of our Team Quit | 20VC #963

ℹ️ EPISODE INFO

Released

January 6, 2023

Duration

53m

Channel

The Twenty Minute VC

Watch on YouTube

▶ Open ↗

📝 EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Jason Fried the Co-Founder and CEO at 37signals, makers of Basecamp and HEY. Over an incredible 21 year journey, Jason and his co-founder David have scaled Basecamp to become the communication tool trusted by millions. Jason is also the co-author of the widely acclaimed, ReWork and has also made several angel investments in the likes of Intercom, Gumroad and Hodinkee to name a few. --------------------------------------------------- Timestamps: 0:00 Basecamp’s Origin Story 1:39 What are you running from/towards? 4:31 How to Detach from your Company 6:27 What happens to SaaS companies that are unprofitable and over funded? 9:58 Scale is Overrated 12:02 How Jason Measures Success 13:53 Goals are Overrated 19:04 How to Give Negative Feedback 21:18 Basecamp’s Ban on Talking Politics at Work 27:53 Jason’s Decision Making Framework 32:15 Jason’s Biggest Disagreement with his Co-Founder 34:46 The Secret to Long Lasting Business Relationships 37:40 The Secret to a Happy Marriage 40:26 Parenting Advice 42:30 Eating Mushrooms 45:07 What would you like to change in the world of startups? 45:53 Founder who Take Money off the Table 46:57 Jason’s Risk Appetite 49:56 The Perfect Board Member 51:25 Jason’s 10-year Plan ---------------------------------------------------- In Todays Episode with Jason Fried We Discuss

1. From Web Design Agency to Founding Basecamp: What was the a-ha moment for Jason when they had to make the pivot from a design agency to going full-time launching and running Basecamp as a SaaS company? What is Jason running towards? What is he running from? What is the single biggest fear that Jason is trying to avoid?

1. Jason Fried: The Leader: Why does Jason believe he is running from his position as leader and CEO @ Basecamp? Why does Jason not like or agree with goals or targets? Why are they not helpful? How does Jason make decisions today as a leader and CEO? What one question does he ask that determines his decision-making process? Why does Jason never compare himself to the competition? Why does he believe competition is for losers?

1. Jason Fried: The Politicization of Leadership: Why did Jason and David decide to not allow politics in the workplace? How did they manage with 1/3 of their team leaving overnight? How was that experience for them personally? How did it impact the company? Is there anything they would do differently? Does Jason believe we will see the continued politicization of leadership in the coming months? How would Jason advise other CEOs when it comes to taking a stance on politics?

1. Jason Fried: Building the Best Team: What is the one question that determines whether you made a good hire? Why does Basecamp start with hiring all employees on a week-long project contract? Why does Jason believe the best CEOs approach management as the art of the individual?

1. Jason Fried: The Partner, Father and Husband: Jason and David have been partners for 21 years, why does Jason believe it is helpful that they do not see each other much? Is it right for co-founders and partners to be friends? What have been Jason’s single biggest lessons on what it takes to be the best husband? What does great fatherhood mean to Jason? How has it changed over time? ------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe to the Podcast: https://www.thetwentyminutevc.com/jason-fried-2/ Follow Harry Stebbings on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarryStebbings Follow Jason Fried on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonfried Follow 20VC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/20vc_reels Follow 20VC on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@20vc_tok ------------------------------------------------------------------- #JasonFried #Basecamp #HarryStebbings #20vc #startups #venturecapital #leadershipdevelopment #hiringtips

🎤 SPEAKERS

• Harry Stebbings

  host

• Jason Fried

  guest

🧾 EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Twenty Minute VC, featuring Harry Stebbings and Jason Fried, Basecamp CEO Jason Fried: We Banned Talking Politics and 1/3 of our Team Quit | 20VC #963 explores jason Fried On Profit, Politics, And Letting Go Of Basecamp Jason Fried reflects on 23 years building Basecamp as a profitable, independent software company, emphasizing his disdain for external control, rigid goals, and growth-at-all-costs thinking. He explains why profitability and enjoyable day-to-day work matter more than scale, and how he evaluates success, performance, and risk without traditional metrics or boards. Fried revisits Basecamp’s controversial ban on political discussion at work, detailing the emotional fallout, what he’d do differently, and why he still believes it was right for the business. He also dives into decision-making frameworks, his long-term partnership with co-founder David Heinemeier Hansson, and personal lessons on marriage, parenting, and eventually stepping away from Basecamp.

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