Live From The HIBT Summit: Adam Grant

How I Built This · 19 Aug 2021 · 50m

What this episode covers

Organizational psychologist and Wharton professor Adam Grant, author of 'Think Again' and 'Originals', advises entrepreneurs to adopt a scientific mindset, treating business strategies as testable hypotheses rather than identities. He argues that recognizing errors quickly is crucial for learning, citing research where founders trained to 'think like scientists' generated 40 times more revenue by pivoting more frequently. Grant also discusses the importance of 'confident humility,' balancing self-assurance with the willingness to admit ignorance, and offers practical tools like 'challenge networks' and 'creative checkups' to avoid the pitfalls of stubborn persistence.

Mentioned

Companies
Wharton School, Class Pass, Kickstarter, Stonyfield Yogurt, Blackberry, Blockbuster, Airbnb, Compass, Slack, Warby Parker, Dow Chemical, Bridgewater
Products
Think Again, Give and Take, Originals, WorkLife

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Hardware Entrepreneur · 32m

    #039 - Brain vs Capital - how to build a business from components (Part 2), with Prof. Günter Faltin, Germany

    Professor Günter Faltin, author of 'Brain vs Capital', discusses the fundamental clash between the creative mindset of entrepreneurs and the efficiency-focused mindset of business administrators (MBA types). He argues that business plans are often dangerous because they solidify assumptions that are frequently wrong, urging founders to prioritize customer validation and adaptable business models over rigid planning. Faltin also emphasizes the 'component principle,' advising that startups in high-cost regions must hire expensive professionals to manage complex interfaces, as a viable business model must be able to afford this expertise.

  • Oxide and Friends · 1h 22m

    Reflecting on Founder Mode

    Bryan Cantrill and Adam Leventhal of Oxide Computer Company reflect on Paul Graham's 'Founder Mode' essay, arguing that the dichotomy between founder and manager modes is a false and dangerous oversimplification. They discuss the importance of seeking wisdom from experienced professionals without blindly deferring to them, citing their own hiring experiences at companies like Plaid and Delphix. The conversation highlights the need for 'clarity' and 'trust' in leadership, using examples like Tim O'Reilly's 'How I Failed' and Bryan Chesky's Airbnb leadership evolution to illustrate how founders must balance autonomy with clear direction. Finally, they share a humorous anecdote about an 'ego con' involving NetApp founder Dave Hitz and his book, 'How to Castrate a Bull,' to underscore the dangers of unexamined success and the value of critical, written communication.

  • Built 2 Scale · 20m

    Tool of the Week Segment | Episode 31

    Hosts Matt Perrott and Scott Wilcox discuss strategies for founders, starting with a recommendation of David Senra's 'Founders' podcast, which distills biographies of figures like Elon Musk and James Dyson. They emphasize the importance of curating one's content diet to avoid doom-scrolling and the necessity of knowing oneself before hiring. The conversation concludes with advice on clarifying vision in writing and prioritizing three foundational roles: Product (CTO), Brand (CMO), and Distribution (Head of Sales).

  • Product Startup · 51m

    029: Making a Social or Environmental Impact with Our Business, Adam Force of Change Creator

    Adam Force, founder of Change Creator, discusses the mindset and strategies required for social entrepreneurship, emphasizing the shift from profit-first to impact-first business models. He shares his journey of pivoting from failed physical product attempts, such as a hemp water bottle, to launching a digital magazine that connects social entrepreneurs. Force highlights specific case studies like Lucky Iron Fish and Grow Shoes to illustrate how targeted solutions can drive systemic change, while advising founders to invest in self-education and build networks through persistent outreach.

  • The Hardware Entrepreneur · 39m

    #033 - Elements of building a successful tech business, with (proven) serial entrepreneur Milton Chang of Incubic Venture Fund, USA

    Milton Chang, managing partner of Incubic Venture Fund and serial entrepreneur behind Newport and New Focus, shares insights from his book 'Toward Entrepreneurship' on building successful tech businesses. He advocates for starting niche businesses modestly and bootstrapping to validate ideas before seeking external funding, contrasting this with the media's push for rapid growth in 'hot' fields. Chang emphasizes that founders from academia must broaden their business acumen, understand market needs deeply, and synchronize employee self-actualization with company goals to succeed.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by How I Built This. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.