…is the title of a long-form essay by Ben Casnocha, Reid Hoffman’s Chief of Staff, and his co-author one a couple of books (one of which, I’ve already covered).
In which, Ben covers his Top 16 lessons learned from his time working with Reid. Here’s the cliff notes version:
- People are complicated and flawed. Root for their better angels.
- The best way to get a busy person’s attention: Help them.
- Keep it simple and move fast when conceiving strategies and making decisions.
- Every weakness has a corresponding strength.
- The values that actually shape a culture have both upside and downside.
- Understand someone’s “alpha” tendencies and how that drives them.
- Self-deception watch: even those who say they don’t need or want flattery, sometimes still need it.
- Be clear on your specific level of engagement on a project.
- Sketch three possible outcomes for a project: the likely upside, likely ‘regular’, and likely downside scenarios.
- A key to making good partnerships great: Identify and emphasize any misaligned incentives.
- Reason is the steering wheel. Emotion is the gas pedal.
- Trade up on trust even if it means you trade down on competency.
- Tell the truth. Don’t reflexively kiss ass to powerful people.
- Respect the shadow power.
- Make people genuine partners and they’ll work harder.
- Final: The people around you change you in myriad unconscious ways
They are a mixed bag, but 3, 5, 8, 13, 15 are well worth the read
[…] 10,000 hours with Reid Hoffman […]
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