Podcast Summary
The Power of Grit and Grace in Business and Life: Stay true to values like grit and grace, persevere, and prioritize human connection for success in business and life.
Success in business and life is not about instant gratification or talent alone, but rather a combination of grit and grace. Guy Kawasaki, a renowned author, business leader, and podcaster, shared his journey from Apple to Canva, and the importance of holding onto values like grit and grace in the face of challenges. He emphasized that it's essential to stay true to oneself while striving for success. Kawasaki, who has written 16 books, shared his latest work and the lessons it imparts. Despite his previous resolution to avoid virtual engagements, he couldn't resist the opportunity to connect with Kawasaki, demonstrating the power of relationships and the importance of flexibility. Ultimately, the conversation underscored the significance of perseverance, authenticity, and the value of human connection in achieving success.
Struggling with writing and the importance of tough teachers: Overcoming challenges and learning from tough teachers can lead to great success. Instant gratification and fame from social media may hinder the development of sustained obsession and patience.
The most challenging experiences and tough teachers we encounter can lead to the greatest growth and success in life. The speaker shares his personal experience of struggling with writing despite having written several books, and how he missed the era of blogging before social media. He attributes his love for writing to a strict English teacher from high school who pushed him to improve. He emphasizes that future generations, with their abundance of options, may miss out on valuable lessons from difficult experiences and hardworking mentors. The speaker also reflects on how the instant gratification and fame offered by social media today can hinder the development of sustained obsession and patience required to build something truly successful. He concludes by reflecting on how his first episode of Wine Library TV, which marked his entry into the Silicon Valley ecosystem, was a result of perseverance through adversity.
The Journey to Becoming Remarkable: Grit, growth, and grace are essential for becoming remarkable. Hard work and perseverance matter more than talent or academic achievements. Be gracious and kind, even as a leader.
Becoming remarkable is not an easy process, but rather a journey that requires growth, grit, and grace. The speaker, who has interviewed over 200 remarkable people, distilled their insights into a book organized around these three stages. He emphasized that while talent is important, grit is essential for success in the real world. He shared his own experience of growing up in a family business and being initially intimidated by entrepreneurs from prestigious universities, only to learn that hard work and perseverance were more valuable than academic achievements. The speaker also highlighted the importance of being gracious and kind, even as a leader, and shared how this approach contrasted with his experience of Steve Jobs, whom he admired but found difficult to relate to due to Jobs' tough leadership style. Overall, the speaker's message was that remarkable people are not born that way, but rather make a conscious effort to grow, persevere, and treat others well.
Believing in the power of kindness: Success doesn't require sacrificing kindness, empathy, and compassion. Being a nice person can lead to remarkable achievements.
Success in business and life doesn't require sacrificing kindness, empathy, and compassion. Gary Vaynerchuk and the speaker share a belief that being a nice person can lead to remarkable achievements. It's not about quick fixes or external validation but about making a positive impact on the world. Communication style, influenced by upbringing and experiences, is important, but being an "aggressive communicator" doesn't mean compromising humanity. The speaker's personal journey shows that underpaid in the first third of life, overpaid in the second, and now it's time to give back. Remarkable people are those who make a difference, not because they've hired a PR firm, but because they genuinely contribute to the world. Being a consistent communicator and sharing experiences is more fulfilling than focusing solely on personal gain. Being an "asshole" takes a lot of energy and is a reflection of inner turmoil. Kindness and compassion are essential for success and personal growth.
From humble beginnings to financial prosperity: Despite challenging circumstances, hard work, accountability, and determination can lead to significant financial success
Regardless of one's background or starting point in life, it's possible to create significant financial prosperity through hard work, accountability, and determination. The speaker, who grew up in a crowded apartment in Queens, New York after immigrating from the Soviet Union, expressed gratitude for his experiences and worried about the potential entitlement and lack of accountability he sees in younger generations. However, he also acknowledged the incredible opportunities available in America and the potential for individuals to make a substantial impact on their families' financial trajectory. The speaker's own story serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for growth and prosperity, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
Embrace a growth mindset and accountability: Successful individuals never stop learning, take responsibility for their failures, and find joy in the process of growth and giving back to others
Successful and remarkable people possess a growth mindset. They never believe they've reached their limit and are always striving to learn new skills and progress. Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes accountability and encourages individuals to blame themselves if they're not winning with the numerous options technology provides, rather than blaming external factors. Furthermore, successful people enjoy the process of growth and building, not just the end result. They don't use charitable donations as a means to boost their own image, but genuinely contribute to causes that need support.
Making a difference in the world: Focus on addressing global issues like access to clean water and digital skills to improve people's lives, rather than just personal achievements.
Making an impact goes beyond personal achievements or leaving a legacy at prestigious institutions. Instead, it's about addressing global issues that may seem insurmountable but are crucial for improving people's lives. The speaker shared his passion for organizations like Pencils of Promise and Charity Water, which focus on providing clean water to millions without access, and Digital Nest, which offers digital skills to Hispanic kids in farm areas. He emphasized the importance of expanding opportunities and addressing fundamental needs. Additionally, the speaker highlighted the value of books as a source of wisdom and inspiration, with his upcoming book "When I Tell You I Know Bullshit" being a testament to this belief. Overall, the conversation underscores the importance of looking beyond personal accomplishments and focusing on making a difference in the world.
Finding happiness through making a difference: Financial success doesn't guarantee happiness, but making a positive impact on people's lives can lead to personal growth and potential financial success.
True happiness comes from making a difference in the world, rather than just accumulating wealth. The speaker, who has achieved financial success, emphasizes that this success is not the source of his happiness. Instead, he finds joy in knowing that he has made a positive impact on people's lives. He encourages everyone to strive for making a difference, believing that it will lead to personal growth and potential financial success. The speaker also expresses gratitude for the people who have supported him throughout his career and acknowledges their contributions to society. He believes that the internet and the rise of meritocracy have given more opportunities to good people to make a difference and be remembered. The speaker's upcoming book is a testament to his legacy and the impact he intends to leave behind.
New Book 'Crush It' by Gary Vaynerchuk: Gary Vaynerchuk's new book, 'Crush It', offers valuable insights on social media, media, and creativity, but may be dense with some potentially boring parts. It's expected to be released on March 6th, and readers are encouraged to check out 'Think and Grow Rich' and 'Remarkable' beforehand.
The author, Gary Vaynerchuk, has released a new book titled "Crush It" which is his most comprehensive work to date. He acknowledges that it may be dense and have some potentially boring parts, but it was necessary. The book is expected to be released on March 6th, a time of year when people often read due to spring break. He encourages readers to check out "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill and "Remarkable" by Seth Godin, and looks forward to feedback from his community. Overall, the book aims to provide valuable insights on social media, media, and creativity.
