How 'Diary Of A CEO' Gets Made: Steven Bartlett Goes Behind The Scenes At FlightStory

ForbesAbout 3 min readApr 25, 2025Watch original
THE SUMMARYAI-generated

Flight Story Studio Tour and Company Culture

Key Concepts:

  • Digital studio transformation
  • Thematic set design
  • Company culture emphasizing experimentation and failure
  • Importance of "useless absurdity" in branding
  • Investing in people with "life force energy"
  • Community-focused office space

Studio Design and Digital Transformation

Flight Story is transforming its studio sets into digital screens. The current sets for shows like Paul Brunson's and Deina McCall's will eventually be replaced with digital displays. The outdoor area will feature a coffee shop ("bree"). The entrance will have a spaceman that interacts with visitors. A key feature will be a 25-foot rocket with orbiting planets representing the companies within Flight Story.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of detail in set design, citing a two-month debate about the chairs. The chair design is meant to reflect the nature of the conversation on each show. For example, his show uses gothic, cold, steel-like kitchen table chairs to represent difficult conversations.

The Power of "Useless Absurdity"

The speaker argues that "useless absurdity will define you more than useful practicality." The most memorable and brand-defining aspects of a company are often the seemingly absurd things it does. The 25-foot rocket in the office is an example of this, creating a unique and unforgettable experience. He believes people don't value "cool stuff" enough.

Office Environment and Team Structure

The office houses various teams, including editors for shows and social media content, the "experimentation and failure team," the social and marketing teams, finance, and the investment team.

The "Experimenter of the Week" trophy is awarded to the person who has failed the most, encouraging experimentation.

Remembering Jamal Edwards

A picture of Jamal Edwards is displayed in the office as a tribute. Edwards, the founder of SBTV, was a significant inspiration to the speaker when he was starting his business. Edwards provided advice and friendship, and his influence is a key reason for the existence of "The Diary Of A CEO".

Investing in People with "Life Force Energy"

The speaker's team also runs a speaking division, managing events and speaking engagements for the hosts of their shows. The speaker highlights investments in brands like Perfect Ted, a tea brand. He emphasizes the importance of investing in people with "life force energy" – those who overcome obstacles and have a "we can do it because" attitude. Perfect Ted scored highly on a culture alignment survey, making them a natural fit for the office space.

Supporting Ukrainian Businesses

The speaker highlights the story of a Ukrainian refugee who established a distribution company representing Ukrainian brands. After meeting her on Dragon's Den, he was impressed by her determination and mission to help her country. He offered her space in the London office to support her business.

The Importance of Community

The speaker believes that the office is not outdated, but rather that community and bringing people together are now in fashion. The goal is to create an environment where people raise the bar.

Conclusion

Flight Story is building a unique and innovative workspace that reflects its values of experimentation, community, and supporting entrepreneurs. The emphasis on "useless absurdity" and investing in people with "life force energy" highlights a distinctive approach to branding and company culture.

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