Karri Saarinen (Linear) – Conversations on Quality (Episode 02)

Authentic company values emerge from a startup’s history and proven successes rather than being manufactured by executives in isolation. At Linear, these values function as a foundational framework for decision-making, ensuring alignment between daily operations and long-term goals. The core values—trust among co-founders, intuition refined through customer interaction, purpose-built product design, an uncompromising commitment to quality, and the mission to inspire builders—collectively drive business success. By prioritizing quality, companies create a competitive advantage that fosters organic growth and customer loyalty, even in markets with high switching inertia. Ultimately, these values are not superficial slogans but essential tools that guide team behavior and reinforce the company’s mission to accelerate software development, ensuring that every strategic shift remains rooted in the practices that generated initial success.