Building the world's most customizable workspace with Ivan Zhao, co-founder of Notion

Building the world's most customizable workspace with Ivan Zhao, co-founder of Notion

In the early days of Notion, the co-founder Ivan Zhao took it upon himself to personally engage with users on Twitter. He wanted to ensure that they knew there was a human behind the product, someone who cared about their experience. This personal touch helped build a sense of trust and connection with the users.

But it didn't stop there. Notion also made an effort to gather feedback from its users and tagged every piece of feedback they received. This allowed them to track the most common pain points and use that information to develop new features. This user-centric approach helped Notion evolve and improve based on the needs and preferences of its users.

However, what really set Notion apart was their decision to reach out to their biggest power users. These were the individuals who were doing incredible things with Notion, using it in ways that the team had never even imagined. By developing closer working relationships with these users, Notion was able to provide them with even more support and better understand their unique needs.

One interesting trend that Ivan Zhao noticed recently was the use of Notion pitch decks by startups raising venture capital rounds. More and more companies were using Notion as a versatile tool to take notes, share documents, host wikis, and manage projects all in one place. Notion had become more than just a productivity tool, it had become an operating system for these companies.

This idea of building a customizable workspace resonated with users because it tapped into our natural inclination as humans to create and modify tools. We want to have control over the software tools we use every day, to tailor them to our specific needs. Notion recognized this desire and set out to change the status quo.

"Clear Is Kind. Unclear Is Unkind."

In the world of leadership and communication, there is one issue that consistently ranks as the greatest concern: avoiding tough conversations and giving honest, productive feedback. Many leaders struggle with this because they fear the discomfort and potential conflict that comes with it.

But as Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and author, argues, clear is kind and unclear is unkind. When we feed people half-truths or sugarcoat the truth to make them feel better, we are not being kind. We're simply trying to make ourselves more comfortable at the expense of their growth and development.

Similarly, when we fail to communicate our expectations clearly to a colleague and then hold them accountable or blame them for not delivering, we are being unkind. We are creating a situation where they are set up to fail because they don't have a clear understanding of what is expected of them.

So what's the solution? Brené Brown suggests having a "rumble". A rumble is a discussion or conversation that is defined by a commitment to lean into vulnerability, to stay curious and generous, and to stick with the messy middle of problem identification and solving. It's about being fearless in owning our own parts and listening with the same passion that we want to be heard.

This requires us to let go of our ego and our need to protect ourselves. Armoring up and avoiding tough conversations may feel safer in the short term, but it rarely leads to productive, kind, and respectful conversations. Instead, we need to embrace the discomfort, be brave, and be kind.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Embrace vulnerability: Instead of avoiding tough conversations, lean into them. Be willing to be vulnerable and share your thoughts and feelings honestly. This creates an environment where others feel safe to do the same.

• 2. Get clear on expectations: Take the time to communicate your expectations clearly and explicitly. Don't assume that others know what you want or need from them. This prevents misunderstandings and sets everyone up for success.

• 3. Practice active listening: When engaging in a conversation, make a conscious effort to truly listen to the other person. Give them your full attention and try to understand their perspective. This fosters better understanding and empathy.

In conclusion, building a customizable workspace like Notion requires a deep understanding of user needs and a commitment to continuous improvement. By engaging with users, gathering feedback, and developing closer relationships with power users, Notion was able to create a tool that has become an operating system for many companies. Similarly, in the realm of leadership and communication, being clear and kind is essential. Avoiding tough conversations and failing to provide honest feedback is unkind and hinders growth. Instead, we should embrace vulnerability, communicate expectations clearly, and practice active listening to create a culture of kindness and productivity.