In this conversation from Lenny’s Podcast, Ben Horowitz joins Lenny to discuss the psychological muscle every founder needs, why hesitation can be fatal for CEOs, when it’s time to replace a founder, and how to normalize failure while building confidence. They also explore the Databricks founding story, investing in Adam Neumann after WeWork, whether AI is in a bubble, where the real opportunities lie, and Ben’s work with the Paid in Full Foundation supporting hip-hop pioneers. The result is a candid look at leadership, product management, and what it takes to build enduring companies.
Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
00:22 The Psychology of Leadership & Decision-Making
02:41 Leadership lessons from Shaka Senghor
07.56 Struggle, Pain, and Growth as a CEO
10:15 Running toward fear and why hesitation kills companies
19:35 Who shouldn’t start a company
22:36 The Databricks story: thinking bigger
24:54 Managerial leverage and CEO psychology
28:06 When founders should be replaced as CEOs
31:20 Normalizing failure for CEOs
37:57 Counterintuitive lessons about building companies
42:31 “Good Product Manager/Bad Product Manager”
48:21 Product managers as leaders
51:16 Why a16z invested in Adam Neumann after WeWork
56:23 Is AI in a bubble?
01:02:43 The biggest opportunities in AI
01:12:51 Why U.S. leadership in AI matters
01:18:53 The Paid in Full Foundation for hip-hop pioneers
01:23:18 Lightning round: book recommendations, products, and life mottos
Resources:
Find Ben on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz
Find Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/behorowitz/
Watch more of Lenny’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LennysPodcast
Check out Lenny’s newsletter here: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com
Stay Updated:
Find a16z on X: https://x.com/a16z
Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z
Listen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX?si=3E8B3qT9TyiwAHJ7JnaKbg
Listen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
Stay Updated:
Find a16z on X
Find a16z on LinkedIn
Listen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify
Listen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Follow our host: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg
Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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