From a family of fishermen in southern France to CEO of Instacart – Fidji Simo's path breaks every convention. After becoming her family's first high school graduate and attending France's leading university, she rose to lead the Facebook app before taking the helm at Instacart. She shares how she ‘finds the magic’ in people while delivering incredible outcomes. Beyond business, Fidji opens up about living with a rare genetic disease and how it led her to embrace vulnerability. This discussion is full of strategies for ambitious leaders who want to drive change while staying true to themselves.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.

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Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys

(00:00:59) Introducing Fidji Simo: From Fishing Village to Tech Leader

(00:02:47) Fidji's Humble Beginnings and Family Influence

(00:05:32) Pursuing Dreams: Education and Early Career

(00:08:36) Support Systems: The Role of Family and Mentors

(00:10:27) Navigating Challenges: From Facebook Rejection to Success

(00:17:11) Leadership Lessons from a Fishing Family

(00:31:27) Breaking Through in Tech: Mentorship and Sponsorship

(00:34:13) Working with Titans: Inside Facebook's Culture

(00:36:16) Navigating Fame and Relatability as a CEO

(00:38:44) Transitioning to Instacart: Challenges and Objectives

(00:40:07) Implementing New Strategies for Growth

(00:42:50) Personal Health Struggles and Professional Resilience

(00:47:12) The Importance of Acceptance and Finding Joy

(00:51:41) Cultivating a Growth Mindset

(01:00:41) Building Strong Relationships and Team Dynamics

(01:05:40) Unsung Heroes