#102

Remarkable Minds: Insights on Leadership, Innovation, and Success with Guy Kawasaki

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Guy Kawasaki is an American marketing specialist, author, and Silicon Valley venture capitalist. He was the ‘Apple Evangelist’ originally responsible for marketing their Macintosh computer line in 1984, and is currently Chief Evangelist at Canva. 

Guy has written sixteen books, including The Art of the Start (2004) and Wise Guy: Lessons from a Life (2019). In his latest book, Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference, the host of the Remarkable People podcast shares invaluable knowledge to help readers make the leap from average to exceptional and start living the remarkable life they were meant to lead.

Summary

02:47 What’s most misunderstood about Apple and Steve Jobs – according to Guy Kawasaki

• Guy delves into the overdocumentation of Apple and Steve Jobs… predicting more content in the future.
• It is important to distinguish correlation from causation to avoid being misled.
• There is a big misconception that mimicking Steve Jobs’ superficial behaviours (like his attire and actions) will lead to similar success. Simply copying Jobs’ habits won’t make someone successful; instead, focus on understanding what people want and making them desire what you want.
• Both positive and negative views of Steve Jobs hold some truth.

04:02 What is the ‘Bozo Explosion’?

• The concept of the ‘Bozo Explosion’ is where insecure leaders hire people less skilled than themselves to remain the best in the room.
• This cycle continues as those hires then select even less qualified individuals, leading to a rapid decline in overall talent within the organisation.
• The result is a significant decrease in the quality of the workforce, known as the “bozo explosion.”
• The key lesson is to maintain high hiring standards, noting that hiring too easily can lead to easy layoffs later on.

06:33 Key insights from Guy Kawasaki’s new book ‘Think Remarkable’

• Kawasaki and his coauthor condensed 250 podcast episodes and 5,000 pages of transcripts into a concise, 180-page book that can be read in about 8 hours.
• The book includes stories from both famous and lesser-known figures like Jane Goodall, Steve Wozniak, Angela Duckworth, and others.
• It is dedicated to Generation Z, aiming to provide them with guidance on life and tackling current challenges.
• Younger generations need to stop blaming baby boomers for problems and take responsibility for creating a better future for themselves and their descendants.

13:33 Common themes from interviewing guests on the Remarkable People Podcast

• The book is structured around three key themes found in remarkable people: growth, grit, and grace.

1. Growth: Every remarkable person goes through a phase of acquiring new skills and trying new things.
2. Grit: Achieving greatness requires perseverance and not giving up, as becoming remarkable doesn’t happen overnight.
3. Grace: Remarkable individuals often conclude their careers by giving back to society, which differentiates them from those who focus solely on themselves.

• Most remarkable people find that giving back to society is more rewarding than focusing solely on personal success.

18:26 What is the key to growth?

• Growth requires recognising the risks of not trying new things and fostering curiosity while reducing aversion to risk.
• The biggest regret people often have is not trying something they wanted to, as highlighted by Daniel Pink’s “Regrets Project.”
• Have an open mind, be aware of opportunities, and surround oneself with an environment that supports growth.
• Fixed mindsets, whether by restricting growth opportunities or believing you’re already perfect, can limit personal development.
• Overcoming life constraints with a growth mindset can be challenging, but starting small and staying curious can help.
• You don’t need to be famous like Jane Goodall or Steve Jobs to be remarkable; small, meaningful actions can make a difference.
• Kawasaki provides examples of remarkable people who aren’t famous, such as someone with ALS who completed marathons or a former prisoner turned artist.
• Even Kawasaki, who is deaf, emphasises that overcoming personal challenges is part of being remarkable, and everyone faces their own struggles.

26:11 How can you determine whether to persevere or whether to pivot? 

• As a parent, it’s challenging to advise children on when to quit or persevere. Kawasaki himself quit law school after two weeks, which ultimately led him down a successful path, making it difficult to strictly enforce perseverance in his children.
• You can’t always see how decisions will shape your future until you look back.
• Learning how to sell is essential, not just in business but in everyday life. Whether negotiating or convincing others, selling is a crucial life skill.
• Small decisions, like missing a bus, can lead to significant opportunities. Remaining curious and open to what’s next is crucial for personal growth.
• While remaining open to different paths, parents also worry about their kids’ choices, especially if they seem unproductive, like playing video games instead of pursuing education.
• The dedication and sacrifice of Olympic athletes teach valuable life lessons. Even if they don’t turn professional, the discipline they develop can be applied to any field.

35:04 The power of failure and vulnerability

• Whether in personal life or career, accepting vulnerability as part of the journey can lead to substantial growth.
• Guy discusses how even remarkable leaders like Simone Biles show that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a stepping stone to success.

37:50 How to be indispensable

• Success comes from making yourself indispensable, which often involves doing the work that others avoid.
• Be consistent
• Many people tend to drop out early, so just showing up regularly gives you an advantage over most.
• When you become indispensable, you gain more opportunities, freedom, money, prestige, and confidence.
• Forget Work-Life Balance comes over a lifetime, not in the early years.
• Your career has three phases: Early on, you’re underpaid and overworked; in the middle, you’re overpaid and underworked; later, it’s about giving back.

41:15 What is grit?

• Success is often attributed to grit, which means continuing to show up and work hard even when facing difficulties or failures.
• Learn to enjoy the hard work.
• Olympic-Level Grit: High achievers like Simone Biles demonstrate that greatness comes from consistent hard work and dedication, not just talent.
• Execution is what sets remarkable people apart.
• Sacrifice, discipline, and listening to coaches are crucial for success, both in sports and in life.

50:18 “Making the right decision and making a decision right”

• Instead of obsessing over making the perfect decision, take your best shot with the information you have.
• Once you’ve made a decision, focus on making it the right one instead of second-guessing yourself.
• Life is like surfing: after choosing your path, shift your focus to riding the wave and making the most of your choice.

52:50 The importance of grace

• Remarkable people focus on helping the next generation and making a positive impact on others, rather than prioritizing themselves.
• In writing, using creative techniques like alliteration can add emphasis and make ideas more memorable.
• True success is measured by how you empower others, not by material accomplishments or personal accolades.

53:58 The greatest leader Guy Kawasaki has worked with

• Steve Jobs is seen as an extraordinary figure… making it hard for anyone to surpass his influence!
• Melanie Perkins, the co-founder of Canva, is equally impressive and ranks alongside influential leaders like Steve Jobs.

54:58 On the core qualities that define leadership, and what steps can individuals take to develop some of these qualities

• Hire better talent: As a leader, hire people who excel in their specific roles, even better than you do.
• Feel proud when your team members are more skilled than you in their areas of expertise.
• Effective leadership involves empowering your team and then stepping out of their way to let them perform.

Links mentioned: 

Remarkable People Podcast

‘Think Remarkable’ by Guy Kawasaki

‘The Art of the Start’ by Guy Kawasaki

‘Steve Jobs’ by Walter Isaacson

‘Growth Mindset’ by Carol Dweck

World Regret Survey

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