First Friday - April 2024

What I'm Reading

AMP it up by Frank Slootman (Second time reading):

Frank Slootman’s “AMP it up” explores the philosophy of high-impact leadership that’s been instrumental in scaling companies like Data Domain, ServiceNow, and Snowflake through periods of hypergrowth. Slootman emphasizes a no-nonsense approach centered around mission-driven leadership and a focus on execution over elaborate strategizing.

Key Takeaways:

• Elevate Standards: Slootman advocates for setting the bar high. Growth should be strategically engineered rather than organically expected, with a relentless focus on mission and execution.
• Unify Teams: The book underscores the importance of team alignment—ensuring that every team member is actively driving towards common goals and that everyone is correctly positioned to contribute maximally.
• Sharpen Focus: Slootman stresses the necessity of analytical precedence and prioritization. A concentrated effort and reducing multitasking are seen as critical to maintaining clarity and direction.
• Accelerate Tempo: He proposes a sense of urgency in action. Quick decision-making, seizing opportunities, and rapid execution are portrayed not as stress inducers but as essential components of successful growth strategies.
• Evolve Strategy: Adapting strategy with an awareness of the broader business landscape is crucial. The ability to anticipate and act upon emerging opportunities is a key growth lever.

Slootman's book serves as a guide for leaders looking to inject intensity, raise expectations, and instill a sense of urgency within their organizations for sustained hypergrowth.

Growth isn't a straight line X thread by Teddy Mitrosilis

Failure is a painful experience, yet I encounter it almost daily. In this thread, Mitrosilis insightfully illustrates that growth isn’t a straight line. We often imagine our progress as a direct line—always up and to the right.

?He presents a compelling chart showing that growth cannot occur without tension. Growth is meant to be challenging—the essence lies in embracing the discomfort and continuing to learn and persevere.

This is the process of improving. This is why, since day 1 at Clearsulting, we have celebrated failures. Without failure, there is no growth.

Concept I’ve been studying

Expectations and levels of resilience

Jensen Huang shared some powerful insights on resilience and expectations, particularly relevant to high-achievers like the Stanford students who spoke to in the video below. He pointed out an interesting paradox: those accustomed to success might struggle more with setbacks because of their high expectations. His advice? Embrace a mindset ready for challenges, keeping expectations realistic to better weather the storms and seize success.

This philosophy resonates strongly with me, especially within the culture we've built at Clearsulting. Huang's mantra of embracing "pain and suffering" aligns with our approach. We see value in the struggle, understanding that failure isn't just part of the journey—it's essential to innovation. After all, without taking risks and occasionally failing, innovation is off the table.

Huang's wish for "ample doses of pain and suffering" might sound unconventional, but it's a sentiment I find myself agreeing with. It underscores a critical lesson: growth often comes from discomfort and adversity.

This relates to personal lives as well -- This morning, right before my daughter got on the bus, she shared her concern about possibly not being accepted into a program she's really excited about. She asked, "What if I don’t get accepted?" I told her, "Failing is great. If you don’t get accepted, it's an opportunity to work harder and try again next year." The truth is, if she doesn't get accepted, it might actually be for the best in the long run. Facing setbacks like these can be invaluable, teaching lessons in resilience, hard work, and the importance of persisting despite challenges.

Best podcast of the last 30 days

Larry Liu – Weee! [How I Built This]

Larry Liu's narrative is compelling, illustrating the transition from a simple hobby to establishing a billion-dollar company. I became aware of "Weee!" through a podcast, and the story behind its founding is fascinating.

Originating from China, Larry identified a unique market opportunity within WeChat groups. These groups were primarily formed for the purpose of organizing collective purchases of familiar foods and products. Despite numerous obstacles encountered along his journey, he successfully transformed this initial concept into the substantial e-commerce platform known as "Weee!" today. This evolution serves as a testament to the impact of perseverance and the ability to leverage small tests into successful business ventures.

My personal growth

How I’ve failed…

Recent failure: not keeping up with the informal check-ins with team members. It's honestly one of the parts of my job I enjoy the most—those spontaneous calls to team members at all levels, just to see how they're doing. It's not just about work; it's about connecting on a human level, something I haven't done enough of recently.

Going forward, I'm making it a point to weave this back into my routine. It's key to maintaining the team dynamic where everyone feels supported and valued. Plus, it’s a great way to stay connected and keep the lines of communication open across the board.

Personal Development Priority: #1 Volunteer at My Kids' School

I have 3 kids under 8, and they're all getting back into the swing of field trips, holiday parties, and the like at their school. One of my personal goals is to become the #1 volunteer at their school for events like these. It is maybe 2-3 hours per quarter, but it's crucial to me and means a lot to my kids. It shows them how invested I am in their lives and activities.

Additionally, I want to challenge the stereotype that busy business professionals don't have time for this kind of thing. I don't buy into that. I believe anyone who manages their calendar well can spare a few hours each quarter for something this important.

Just this week, I chaperoned my son's field trip to a performing arts center. We did art, dancing, and acting—definitely a bit out of my comfort zone, but I had a blast with him and his friends!

Closing culture thought

At our last All Hands, I shared something that stuck with me, and I’m bringing it back because it’s just too good not to. It’s this idea from New York Jets Coach Robert Saleh about the four types of people in a team. It really makes you think about where we all fit in and how we can grow, not just as individuals but as a team too.

1. The Survivor - These folks do just enough to get by. They’re all about taking the easiest route.
2. The Contender - They’re motivated by the shiny stuff - trophies, rewards, you name it. If there’s something to win, they’re in.
3. The Competitor - These are the self-motivated ones, always pushing themselves to beat their last best.
4. The Commander - Not only do they push themselves like competitors, but they also bring everyone else along for the ride, lifting the whole team.

I keep coming back to this framework when I think about our leadership at Clearsulting. We’ve always aimed to be filled with Competitors and Commanders, and that’s not changing. What’s cool about this way of seeing things is that everyone fits somewhere, giving us all a clear spot to start from.

Understanding this can be a game-changer for our culture. It’s not just about knowing where we stand; it’s about where we want to go. These four types aren’t just labels; they show us we’ve got the power to shape our approach and how we influence those around us.