Notion’s Ivan Zhao: The Refounder

Notion CEO Ivan Zhao details the transition from traditional "marching band" management to a "jazz band" organizational philosophy, where agility and AI-native workflows replace rigid hierarchies. This shift prioritizes hiring for agency, taste, and curiosity over mere experience, as language models democratize technical capability. Zhao emphasizes the necessity of "refounding" companies during technological pivots, citing his own experiences in Kyoto and Cancun as critical moments for aligning Notion with generative AI. By integrating AI into the core of decision-making and flattening organizational structures, companies move faster and maintain a competitive edge. This approach treats product development like brewing beer rather than engineering a bridge, requiring founders to remain hands-on and deeply connected to the technology to navigate the rapidly evolving market landscape.