10 Takeaways from MrBeast’s Leaked Employee Handbook: How to Build a High-Performance Team and Stay Ahead

When MrBeast's employee handbook got leaked, it was like peeking behind the curtain of one of the most successful YouTube empires on the planet. And guess what? The handbook isn’t just full of rules and corporate jargon—it’s a crash course in building a high-performance team, driving results, and keeping your creative edge sharp.

Here are 10 key takeaways you can steal from MrBeast’s playbook to apply in your own business:

1. Results Over Hours: It’s About What You Do, Not How Long You Do It

MrBeast doesn’t care if you work 20 hours or 2 hours—as long as you get results. The example of James Warren solving a problem in 30 minutes that took a team a week illustrates this perfectly.

?? Takeaway: Focus on outcomes, not effort. Hours worked don’t matter if they’re not moving the needle. In your business, stop glorifying the grind and start glorifying the wins.

2. Only A-Players Need Apply

In MrBeast’s world, there’s no room for B- or C-players. You’re either an A-player—obsessed, coachable, and top of your game—or you’re gone. The lesson? High standards create high results.

?? Takeaway: Build a team of obsessive learners. Don’t tolerate mediocrity. B-players can become A-players, but if someone’s coasting as a C-player? It’s time for them to find a new gig.

3. Be Ready to Fail Fast, But Learn Faster

MrBeast doesn’t sugarcoat it—mistakes happen, and he expects them. But he also expects you to own your mistakes, learn from them, and never repeat them. Failure isn’t the enemy—stagnation is.

?? Takeaway: Encourage your team to take risks, make mistakes, and learn. Just don’t let them make the same mistake twice.

4. Creative Integrity Over Polished Perfection

MrBeast is not interested in Hollywood-level production. He’s interested in creating the best YouTube content possible—fast, engaging, and viral. His mantra? High-quality YouTube content > high-budget Hollywood.

?? Takeaway: In content creation, speed and relevance often matter more than perfection. Focus on engaging your audience, not winning an Oscar.

5. Radical Transparency: Speak Up, Own Up

One of the most refreshing parts of MrBeast’s culture is his demand for honesty and transparency. If something’s not working, say it. If you mess up, own it. Hiding problems only makes them bigger.

?? Takeaway: Encourage open communication within your team. Problems don’t get solved by brushing them under the rug.

6. Metrics Matter: Track Everything

At the core of MrBeast’s strategy are three critical metrics: CTR (Click Through Rate), AVD (Average View Duration), and AVP (Average View Percentage). These numbers guide everything from titles to thumbnails to the structure of videos.

?? Takeaway: Data-driven decisions win. Focus on measurable outcomes to gauge success. The numbers don’t lie.

7. Own the Entire Process: No Room for Coin Flips

MrBeast hammers home the importance of owning every aspect of your project. If you’re responsible, you check in daily, you get updates, and you don’t wait until the last minute to find out something’s gone wrong.

?? Takeaway: Take ownership of your work. Don’t wait until it’s too late to realize something’s broken. Proactive beats reactive, every time.

8. Be Obsessive: Know Your Platform Like the Back of Your Hand

To succeed in MrBeast’s world, you better live and breathe YouTube. His advice to his team? Stop watching Netflix and start consuming everything on YouTube so you can learn the platform’s nuances, trends, and quirks.

?? Takeaway: If you want to succeed, obsess over your craft. Understand your industry better than anyone else, and keep pushing to innovate.

9. Creativity is King—And It Saves You Money

A key piece of advice from MrBeast’s handbook is to use creativity to solve problems. Spending more money is rarely the solution. Instead, think outside the box. The example of giving away a year’s supply of Doritos instead of $20,000 is genius.

?? Takeaway: More money doesn’t equal better results. Creativity often saves both time and money, so use it to your advantage.

10. Hire Consultants: Shortcuts to Success

One of the biggest cheat codes in MrBeast’s handbook? Use consultants. Whether it’s building the world’s largest cake or solving a tricky video shoot, bringing in someone who’s already mastered that problem can save you weeks (or months).

?? Takeaway: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Hire experts to fast-track your success.

If you want to check out the full handbook I will link it in the comments.

If you liked this article consider sharing it. ??