HashiCorp, Guideline and a New Squawk Box Segment

I've been trying to figure out how to do this newsletter thing in a way that's both fresh and useful for you, and sustainable for me. I think I've found it. One of my fellow adventurers here on LinkedIn, Nelson Nigel, suggested I start a newsletter to give notifications about upcoming shows. And I was like, "Wait a minute, I already have a newsletter." And then I was like, "Why don't I use it to bring folks up to speed on what I've been working on and what I'm going to work on?"

Seems simple, right? Don't know why I didn't think of it.

So here's what we're gonna do. I'll bring you up to speed on the week that was, and give you a peek at what's coming up, so you're able to participate and we can get smarter together.

So, the week that was: I interviewed the CEO of a startup you should keep an eye on, posted a throwback video of an interview with an entrepreneur who's been doing it since high school, co-hosted a CNBC special taking a look at race and opportunity in America, and waded into a controversy about extra parental leave during this COVID-19 pandemic. Other stuff, too. Here we go:

Thoughtful or Unfair? On the Other Hand

Three weeks ago, I started doing a new segment on CNBC's Squawk Box. It's based on a goofy idea I had. I love debate, right? I love it as a way to illuminate facts and get people engaged. I like the rhetorical combat. So what if I debated myself? Like, to show that in this polarized time, it's actually possible to consider the other side's point of view? Well, here it is. In response to COVID pressures, some companies are offering extra time off, just to parents. Forward-thinking policy? Or unfair to those without kids? I argue both sides in the latest installment of On the Other Hand:

Adaptation: From Accountant to Startup CEO

Dave McJannet is CEO of hot DevOps startup HashiCorp. He started his career as an accountant though, and worked in product management and marketing before becoming a CEO. In this brief clip from our Fortt Knox 1:1 last week, he explained how a variety of seemingly disconnected experiences prepared him for the job:

Watch the full interview here:

Entrepreneurs With Benefits

I like to dig into the archives of my Fortt Knox interviews and pull out insights from entrepreneurs and leaders. It's funny because I didn't realize at the time how "evergreen" so much of it would be.

Take this, from an entrepreneur who was practically just getting his company started when we talked more than three years ago:

Guideline founder and CEO Kevin Busque had moved around a lot with a military family when he started a company in high school building computers. He wanted to fend for himself. His current company helps small businesses boost employee participation in 401(k) programs, and will soon add IRAs to its offerings. The valuation is close to a half billion dollars. In this Fortt Knox archive clip, he talked about the circumstances that led him to learn and create:

Framing a Conversation About Race and the Workplace

This was one of the most challenging, and fulfilling, weeks of my career. I helped lead the conception and execution of a CNBC primetime special and a CNBC Events presentation focused on the Black experience in corporate America and the path forward. We focused on data, not politics, and tried to illuminate ways companies and leaders can work toward equality of opportunity for everyone.

It was hard. Really hard. I had to push my point of view on why we should frame things in certain ways and not others, and I had to be vulnerable to show how my personal experience was relevant to our mission.

I also had to help gather the right voices. One of the best was my friend of 20 years, Lloyd Pierce, now head coach of the Atlanta Hawks:

I also hosted a live Q&A here on LinkedIn right after the show. It included my colleagues at CNBC and your questions:

What's next? This Wednesday, I'm planning to interview Gina Bartasi, founder and CEO of Kindbody in a Fortt Knox 1:1. Then on Friday, I'll interview Dev Ittycheria, CEO of MongoDB, in another 1:1. Watch my feed to RSVP to the LinkedIn Events; I'll be streaming both live here on LinkedIn, and taking your questions.

Like this new approach to the newsletter? Hate it? Let me know in the comments.