Creating an environment where every idea can come to life is the challenge that Pixar has taken on. This studio, which produced iconic animated films such as Toy Story and The Incredibles, has not only revolutionized the world of cinema, but also built an environment where collaboration and creativity flourish at every stage.
At the core of its success are practices established by the leadership team, aimed at fostering the development of ideas and talents. The Braintrust takes center stage: a working method that emphasizes not just the technical quality of films, but an organizational culture founded on sincerity and mutual respect, where candor and psychological safety play a key role.
Candor from Pixar's perspective
In a professional environment where candor is often rare, Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Studios, made it a central element of his success. For him, candor is the art of speaking the truth without evasion or filter, and it is inseparable from psychological security(1). When this transparency is deeply ingrained in a company culture, it frees employees. They feel empowered to share their ideas, perspectives, and even their critiques without fear of repercussions.
Candor is not limited to blunt truth-telling; it thrives within a supportive environment where criticism is aimed at enhancing projects, not attacking individuals. It represents a form of honest dialogue, where mistakes are recognized as vital steps in progress, not as irreversible failures. This climate fosters innovation, as imperfect ideas can be polished and turned into exceptional solutions together, as a team.
The Braintrust
The Braintrust is Pixar’s signature practice for nurturing constructive sincerity—candor. It’s more than just a feedback session; it’s a collaborative space where hierarchy is removed, and the focus of criticism is purely on the project, not the person. When a director and producer feel in need of assistance, they convene the group—and anyone else they think would be valuable—and present the current version of the work in progress (2).This is followed by a lively two-hour give-and-take discussion, which is all about making the movie better. Originating during the production of Toy Story 2, the Braintrust was designed to help filmmakers receive honest feedback without pressure.
Braintrust guidelines:
👥 Build a diverse team: include key profiles from different professions (project managers, experts, designers etc...) to allow for a multitude of perspectives.
🗣️ Constructive feedback: Criticism is meant to enhance the project, not judge the person presenting the idea. It seeks to refine the project by identifying what works and what could be improved.
💬 Suggestions, not directives: Braintrust members don’t give directives. The person leading the project stays in control of their decisions and can decide whether to implement the suggested ideas or not. This allows criticism to be a tool for enhancement, without enforcing fixed solutions
🫂 Empathy and kindness: Honest feedback must always be given with empathy. Critiques are supported by compliments and recognition, particularly regarding the project manager's vision, which helps sustain a culture of trust.
The Notes Days: Pixar's internal reinvention
Beyond collaborative approaches like the Braintrust, Pixar has also introduced a unique practice to address internal challenges: the Notes Days. These days are dedicated to listening, reflection, and ongoing improvement.
Notes Days are extraordinary sessions where employees from every level and department gather to openly share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas regarding the company's current practices and processes. It’s not just a regular meeting, but a well-organized time to step back, evaluate what’s functioning well or not, and explore ways to improve.
The Pixar Example: A Universal Blueprint
Pixar demonstrates that any organization, regardless of industry, can adopt practices that enhance collaboration, spark creativity, and drive innovation.
Psychological safety is the foundation of all their practices. It is reinforced by the leaders' exemplarity, who demonstrate freedom of expression by being receptive to feedback and emphasizing the value of learning from mistakes.
Candor, Braintrust, and Notes Days are not abstract concepts, but concrete and powerful practices that have helped the studio establish itself as the third most lucrative animated franchise of all time. Films like Toy Story, which grossed over $3.3 billion at the global box office across its four parts, have cemented Pixar's place as a key leader in animation.
Adopting these principles allows any organization to create an environment where ideas can not only take shape but also prosper and become a lasting success. OpenDecide allows you to measure your organization's psychological safety climate, one team at a time, and identify your strengths and pain points with candor and empathy. By addressing these challenges collaboratively, we help you foster an environment where teams can thrive and succeed together.
Article references:
- https://entrepreneurs.lesechos.fr/developpement-entreprise/management/creativite-le-modele-pixar-pourrait-bien-vous-donner-des-idees-2019755
- Catmull, E. (2019, February 25). How Pixar fosters collective creativity. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2008/09/how-pixar-fosters-collective-creativity
- Catmull, E. (2014). Creativity, Inc. an inspiring look at how creativity can - and should - be harnessed for business success by the founder of Pixar. Random House.
- Edmondson, A. C. (2022). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth.John Wiley & Sons.
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