Reading list · 8 books
Reed Hastings's reading list
Co-founder and former CEO/Executive Chairman of Netflix and author of No Rules Rules. A culture-obsessed leader whose reading centers on building enduring companies, competitive strategy, and societal responsibility.
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01
Jim Collins & William Lazier
His most-cited book: "memorize the first 86 pages"; says he's read it every year since someone gave it to him in 1994 — a core influence on Netflix's culture.
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02
7 Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy
Hamilton Helmer
Endorsed bluntly: "if you don't read 7 Powers you're going to die a lot sooner," stressing how strong competitive forces are.
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04
Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility
Patty McCord
Endorsed his former Netflix talent chief's book — "Magical! An enlightening ride through young companies bucking orthodoxy" — as it codifies the culture they built together.
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05
Brad Smith & Carol Ann Browne
Praised it as "refreshing" for calling the tech sector to take more responsibility, notable coming from a disruption-driven industry.
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06
Marc Randolph
Called his Netflix co-founder's origin memoir "engaging and insightful."
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07
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Phil Knight
Recommended Knight's Nike memoir; Netflix optioned it for film, and Hastings has cited it as a favorite founder story.
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08
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
Isabel Wilkerson
Described it as "devastating and important and regrettably timely," saying it was on his nightstand.
More on Reed Hastings's picks
Hastings' recommendations come from interviews, an audiobook-era reading habit, his own book's bibliography, and public Amazon/endorsement blurbs. His single most-cited recommendation is Collins & Lazier's Beyond Entrepreneurship — he says he's reread it annually since 1994 and urges young CEOs to "memorize the first 86 pages." He also champions 7 Powers and Ray Dalio's Principles as direct influences on his leadership.
