I analysed 5 yrs of emails to spot trends that lead me to set up founder meeting vs passing:
1/ elite technical background
2/ deep founder-market fit w/ lived experience
3/ clear reason why this company should exist now
4/ simple transparent communication
The mistake founders (including me) have and will continue to make is assuming the best technology wins.
Common post-exit arc (last gen founder/employee)
1/ 12 months of freedom
2/ angel→microfund→VC
3/ missing purpose
4/ start again (smaller team, more craft)
5/ obsessive fitness & biohacking
As AI liquidity hits, wonder if that arc changes
Coming back here after being away for a few months. How’s it going?
The European mind cannot comprehend this
I am very happy I no longer live in the US.
mine was just shipped, can't wait!
Take what businesses say seriously but not literally.. 🙃
I'm looking for an AI Spanish language tutor (Castellano) and surprised I can't find a good one.
Any suggestions?
Low Ego - nothing is above or below your CoS. I would get coffees and check us out of the hotel on some days and draft strategy documents for the Board on others. In my experience, candidates from certain pedigrees often carry a quiet entitlement that makes them a poor fit for these roles.
Timeline - the most successful CoS never have the opportunity to stay longer than 2-3 years because they get pulled in to lead another part of the business. I don't believe startups should hire a "professional CoS" as that role IMO is more effectively done by a COO.
Deal - an arrangement like no other. They will work harder and put in longer hours than you for 2-3 years. They will know your personal problems, the dynamic with your investors, the company that's trying to poach you, etc.. their reward comes automatically in the form of career progress.
Trust - give them everything. Emails, calendar, notes, time, insights, concerns, optimism... the more you bring them into your world, the more effective they will be. This can be uncomfortable. If you don't trust your CoS, you hired the wrong person or not the type that's capable of having a CoS.
Profile - they need to have high hustle, high IQ, high EQ, but more importantly know how to get shit done without having to borrow influence or get constant instruction from the CEO.
Chief of Staff - a heavily misunderstood role
I was CoS for two of the Presidents at Microsoft & have strong opinions on how this is best done at startups...
Republicans have the smallest House Majority in a century
Can someone send me their favourite starter packs?
Advice for young people:
1/ Early on, solve for working with the absolute smartest people you can. The foundation (and network) will be 10x more valuable than any Ivy League degree.
2/ Don’t change jobs to escape. Move toward something that excites you.
The Times 🎯
New book out soon, co-authored by literally every living economist.
Great to have you here.
neuroplasticity in action
Es este un buen lugar para hacer kitesurf?
so much going for Mistral right now
super impressive !
the space moves so fast, almost everything is temporary.. open source AI is doing amazing though
Does anyone on here kitesurf?
Why is everyone yelling
Um. No.
a lot of work going into this very challenge.. some great progress with stellarators in particular
