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One of the best podcasts I’ve ever heard. As a bonus, a16z posted the full transcript.
a16z.com/2019/03/12/hal…
a16z.com/2019/03/12/hal…
Some of my main takeaways:
It’s not enough to create brilliant work, you must inject it into the world.
Having a great idea is nothing. The world is filled with ideas. It’s all the stuff you do to get that idea into the world that counts.
Be an evangelist for your product. If you don’t believe, no one else will.
It’s not society’s fault for not appreciating your work if you aren’t an evangelist for it. It’s your fault.
Thinking your work will be recognized on its own will slowly destroy you as you become bitter.
One way to inject your ideas into the world is to get into a scene. Get in the mix. Go where the action is.
Another way to get your work recognized is Steve Martin’s line: be so good they can’t ignore you.
The Test (capital T): can you get one referral? Just one. If you can’t get one warm introduction, you’re gonna have a hell of a time as an entrepreneur.
You must show customers the future. They are too busy to know what they need—it’s not their job to think up new ideas. Show them. But with a spirit of humility; once you introduce a new product, don’t dictate the terms on which they take and use it.
The spirit of generosity has two sides. You bring a new product, they bring feedback. Mutual generosity.
The difference between vision and hallucination is whether other people see it.
If you have a vision, you live in two worlds simultaneously: the present and the future. But you must always come back to the present. If you’re not ground here, living in the future is hallucination.
Don’t follow your passion. It’s a narcissistic, destructive worldview. It’s all about ‘me’. Follow your contribution. Use your gifts to benefit society by making a contribution.
