Be successful at Elastic with the Beehive model

What does success mean to you? 

Elastic® defines success through a shared set of foundational leadership behaviors. Called Beehive, this model spells out the specific and consistent behaviors Elasticians can demonstrate to achieve the aspirations of the Source Code. While the Source Code is the essence of Elastic, the Beehive sets out the specific behaviors that will lead to shared success. Fun fact: the Source Code was originally known in its early concepts as the “Elastic Be’s, which is where the name Beehive came from.)

Beehive is how you practice self-leadership. “It is the foundation of leadership that we capture through ‘Be’ statements”, says Debi Wayne, Director, Global Learning & Organization Development.

“It’s behaviors that, if you do consistently, you’re demonstrating leadership ability.” 

These behaviors and beliefs are what we look for when we bring in new talent, where we focus when developing our existing talent, and the standards we set ourselves so we know how well we’re performing. We want all Elasticians to embody five characteristics to make Elastic as successful as possible, and have paired specific behaviors for doing so:

Be kind: Nurture inclusion and belonging

• Act with empathy and see the whole person

• Assume good intent in others 

• Show vulnerability to connect authentically

• Be curious about others, see value in difference

• Act with humility, especially when the going gets tough

• Sensitively call out inappropriate behavior

Be understood: Collaborate, align, and inspire

• Be present, listen to understand and ask good questions

• Take others’ perspective and flex your style to meet them where they’re at 

• Collaborate and align with teams across Elastic

• Work effectively across time-zones

• Reach resolution in conflict, respectfully

• Share compelling narratives using data and storytelling

• Give evidence-based feedback to peers and partners

• Show up in a way that is predictable and consistent

Be smart: Solve problems with agility

• Leverage your expertise and available data to make good decisions, swiftly 

• Acknowledge the broader impact of your decisions

• Use creative thinking to find simple and efficient solutions to complex problems

• Be able to talk confidently about Elastic’s products, solutions and customers

• Think forward, anticipating roadblocks and future challenges

Be bold: Fear less, achieve more

• Strive for excellence; don’t accept mediocrity from yourself or others 

• Take calculated risks to continuously innovate and achieve outcomes

• Show agility and grit in the face of ongoing change

• Dedicate time to learn from failures

• Choose to do the right thing even when it’s hard

Be well: Thrive through lifelong learning and self-care

• Own your career success

• Demonstrate self awareness

• Cultivate a growth mindset

• Seek and act on feedback

• Practice habits for holistic health and wellbeing

But these behaviors apply to more than learning and development. 

“The Beehive has life beyond learning and development,” Debi says. “It was always meant to be bigger.”

For example, the recruiting team has created a list of questions recruiters and hiring managers can use in interviews that are based on the Beehive. Similarly, managers have access to a talent review worksheet they can use to assess teammate potential. 

Elastic’s Learning & Organization Development team recently launched a course called ‘Coach to the Hive’. This new class is offered to leaders so they can learn how to give feedback relative to the Beehive. 

While all Elasticians should embody Beehive behaviors, the L&OD team also created a Beehive / flipped specifically for Elastic’s people leaders. 

“Think of Beehive as leading self and Beehive / flipped as leading others and leading the business,” Debi says. 

Leaders are tasked with orchestrating, directing, and enabling their team members to build their Beehive in coordination with Beehive / flipped:

Be kind / flipped: Lead with empathy

• Champion diversity across the talent lifecycle

• Pause and explain in moments of disagreement or misunderstanding

• Acknowledge and mitigate bias when making decisions that impact others

• Create psychological safety by being accessible, transparent and vulnerable

• Build time each week to practice reflection and develop self-awareness

• Check in with employees personally during challenging occasions

Be understood / flipped: Bring others with you

• Present your case in a way that is concise, compelling and memorable

• Align priorities of cross-functional stakeholders to work towards a shared goal

• Build and foster trust by being credible and consistent, while limiting self-interest

• Provide clarification and direction when managing ambiguous situations

• Check for team’s understanding and expectations

• Share progress, celebrate small wins and build hope when optimism falters

• Communicate difficult decisions with empathy, tact and diplomacy

Be smart / flipped: Set a clear path

• Translate Elastic enterprise strategy into clear action plans for the team or business

• Maintain a strong understanding of Elastic’s business model, market position and value proposition

• Take an holistic view of Elastic and join the dots for your team - linking to our customers

• Set clear goals and expectations at the team and individual level

• Protect Elastic by complying with procedures around risk with due diligence

Be bold / flipped: Drive execution

• Identify, and allocate resources to, business critical tasks

• Design and implement efficient processes for productivity

• Monitor progress, hold others to account and address performance challenges

• Facilitate effective teamwork

• Delegate decisions where appropriate to avoid being a blocker

• Evaluate areas of risk in advance of new projects to mitigate potential issues, and reward team members who anticipate and raise concerns

• Build in time and energy to learn from failures

Be well / flipped: Nurture your people

• Be knowledgeable about team members’ passions, interests and strengths

• Assist team members in setting stretch goals that align with interest and abilities

• Give actionable evidence-based feedback on how individuals are progressing toward goals

• Spot and harness stretch opportunities for your team

• Engage in regular coaching and career conversations

• Recognize team member contributions in a way that is proportional and meaningful

These managerial behaviors can help teams work together with focus and purpose, and produce great work.

Busy bees: How Elasticians can use the Beehive

In 2023, the L&OD team launched the Beehive Learning Center, a new collection of learning resources. For each facet of the Beehive there is a corresponding learning path that outlines the behaviors through interactive e-learning courses. Elasticians completed more than 2,300 courses last year alone. 

Now, the L&OD team is evolving this learning center to include more instructor-led activities for all Elasticians. It’s a wonderful tool meant to help individuals with career development, Debi says.

Debi recommends Elasticians work with their manager to validate what’s missing in their skillset, or what they can work on.

“At Elastic, you own your own career,” Debi says. “Anyone interested in leadership should look to the Beehive. No matter what your career aspirations are, exploring the Beehive and developing the related skills is valuable for all Elasticians."

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