Our reading notes

Valve Handbook for New Employees

The illustrated 2012 employee handbook describing Valve’s flat organization, self-directed projects, peer feedback, and approach to hiring.

What to look for

  1. 01

    Read the organization model alongside its assumptions about hiring and company independence.

  2. 02

    The sections on project choice and peer review show the work that a flat structure still needs someone to do.

Keep in mind

A historical first edition, not evidence of present-day internal policy. The book itself says it is not a binding employment policy.

Put it to work

Try this next

Choose one practice in the handbook and identify the hiring, business, and coordination assumptions it depends on.

Get the handbooks template

Notes and exercises by Awesome CTO. The original work belongs to Valve.

Work through the bigger question.

Our handbooks guide connects the reading to a practical approach and a template.

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