Culture: Boston vs. Seattle
by Miki SaxonAttention culture mavens. Bob Buderi, Founder, CEO and Editor in Chief of Xconomy, has a great post up comparing Seattle and Boston founders’ one-word descriptions of their cultures.
Here is the lists.
- Paranoid
- Execution
- Competent
- Humble
- Easy
- Obsessed
- Focused
- Safety
- Growth
Boston (here and two in the original link)
- Synergistic
- Adventurous
- Passionate
- Focused
- Cool
- Magical
- Vibrant
- Energetic
- Passionate
The fact that they look as if the traits were reversed is Bob’s focus (read his post), but ignoring location, let’s consider them based on meaning.
Agreed, one word doesn’t give much leeway, but it is a good indication of a founder’s thoughts, that said, there are some from both coasts that don’t cut it for me in terms of describing a great culture.
Humble and Easy stand out on the western, despite their founders’ explanations, whereas Safety makes sense because it is a pharmaceutical house. Paranoid might turn some people off, but that cultural attitude started at Intel, is still going strong and has served them well.
On the other coast, Cool and Magical don’t make it for me.
What works for you?
Based on this list, in which cultures would you like to work?
Which, based on their chosen word, do you think are most likely to succeed?
September 6th, 2009 at 10:06 am
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September 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Well actually this is an interesting list.
I am from Boston and although I have not lived in Seattle, I DO live in the Bay Area and was an entrepreneur in the high tech field for a few years. I have to say that I relate MUCH more to folks from New England, who, in my humble opinion, display a lighter touch than New Yorkers. Just my 2cents and I realize not everyone agrees with this. I also lived in NYC for 10 years.
But the bottom line is this: I DO think that us folks from Boston (the entrepreneurs, in particular) are very solid. They say what they mean and they don’t stab you in the back (more like the chest). First and foremost that list is probably correct! We are definitely COOL, MAGICAL and deep down, once we let you in, definitely PASSIONATE:)
September 7th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Hi Emily, I think you are right. A lot of people mistake New England taciturnity for a lack of humor and nothing could be further from the truth. And I also agree that I’d rather see it coming than be stabbed in the back, more chance to get out of the way.
However, I still don’t like ‘cool’ or ‘magical’ as descriptions of a company’s culture, even if they describe the founder—but that is just my opinion:)
Thanks for taking time to add your thoughts.