Linear cofounder on feedback, focus, and building remote-first teams with Jori Lallo

In this episode of Distributed, host Jack Hannah speaks with Jori Lallo, co-founder of Linear, to unpack how he and his co-founders shaped one of the most opinionated products in software. They discuss why the team built a product before a business, the principles behind the Linear Method, and how feedback and work trials define Linear’s culture.

The conversation also explores the realities of running a team split across Europe and the U.S., the role of in-person meetups, and how AI is reshaping both Linear’s workflows and the future of collaboration.

For anyone interested in remote work, intentional culture, and the next chapter of software building, this is a conversation worth hearing.

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Where to find Jori Lallo:

• X: https://x.com/jorilallo

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorilallo/

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Where to find Jack Hannah:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-hannah/

• Website: https://tuple.app/

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:08) Why Linear’s founders built a product before a business

(03:40) How the co-founders of Linear met

(05:01) Shaping Linear’s opinionated philosophy and building tools for modern teams

(09:40) Why the Linear Method still resonates today and where it needs a refresh

(11:45) The role of feedback in Linear’s product culture

(15:40) How Linear approaches hiring

(18:05) The secret ingredient they look for when hiring

(22:18) How Linear operates as a fully remote company

(24:51) How Linear balances synchronous and asynchronous work across Europe and the U.S.

(27:12) The importance of in-person meetups and social connection

(29:38) How work trials act as a filter for alignment and fit

(31:08) How AI is changing collaboration and work at Linear

(37:31) Closing thoughts

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Referenced:

• Linear: https://linear.app/

• Karri Saarinen on X: https://x.com/karrisaarinen/

• Tuomas Artman on X: https://x.com/artman

• Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/

• The Linear Method: Practices for building: https://linear.app/method

• Why and how we do work trials at Linear: https://linear.app/now/why-and-how-we-do-work-trials-at-linear

• The heirloom tomato org chart (Nan Yu, Head of Product, Linear): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4vvBidQcck

• Clerk Cofounder & CEO on how to build a company that delivers incredible DX: https://tuple.app/distributed/clerk-cofounder-and-ceo-on-how-to-build-a-company-that-delivers-incredible-dx