Notion’s Ivan Zhao: The Refounder

Notion CEO Ivan Zhao details the "jazz band" organizational philosophy, which prioritizes agility and improvisation over rigid, marching-band-style management. This approach, often termed "jazz mode," leverages AI to streamline information flow and decision-making within a flat, hierarchical structure. Zhao emphasizes the necessity of "refounding"—a radical, hands-on pivot—to adapt to technological shifts, citing his own experiences rebuilding the company in Kyoto and Cancun. Hiring criteria have shifted from experience-based metrics to agency, curiosity, and taste, as AI democratizes technical capability. By integrating AI into the core of product development and organizational design, companies can move faster and maintain a competitive edge. This shift requires founders to remain deeply involved in product craft, treating software development like brewing beer rather than engineering bridges, ensuring the organization remains responsive to rapid market changes.