Evolving from Player to Coach

Daniel Ek is the co-founder and CEO of Spotify.

Daniel Ek is an entrepreneur and technology executive widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in music, podcasting and audio streaming more broadly. Rising to prominence in the 2000s and 2010s, he became known for revolutionizing how people consume music and for transforming the music industry through digital innovation, platform development and strategic partnerships. He became a household name through Spotify's global expansion, and his career highlights include co-founding Spotify in 2006, growing it to over half a billion users worldwide and pioneering the freemium streaming model that reshaped music consumption. As an advocate for artists and music accessibility, he has also championed fair compensation models and music discovery algorithms, further cementing his influence and legacy in digital music culture.

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Chapters

(00:00) Reflecting on a Life-Changing Conversation

(01:17) Optimizing for Impact Over Happiness

(04:08) The Journey of Self-Motivation

(08:58) The Importance of Trust and Relationships

(14:24) The Role of Criticism and Self-Reflection

(16:24) The Evolution of an Entrepreneur

(22:14) Building a Company True to Yourself

(33:43) The Power of Trust in Business

(41:12) Intellectual Humility and Learning from Others

(41:36) Shadowing Leaders for Growth

(43:48) Learning from Mark Zuckerberg

(47:02) Balancing Personal Taste and Metrics in Product Decisions

(52:22) The Evolution of Leadership at Spotify

(58:00) Building a Company That Outlasts the Founder

(01:14:12) Managing Energy Over Time

(01:24:18) The Never-Ending Game of Life

(01:24:41) Lessons from Henry Ford

(01:25:55) The Value of Solving Problems

(01:30:29) The Importance of Quality

(01:36:07) The Power of Focus and Patience

(01:53:19) Balancing Work and Life

(01:59:12) The Journey of Self-Discovery

(02:07:30) Final Reflections and Gratitude

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