

Elevate Classics: How Corey Thomas Climbed To The Top of World Class Companies
May 8, 2025
Corey Thomas, CEO and Chairman of Rapid7, shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings to leading a top cybersecurity firm. He discusses the importance of ambition and resilience, highlighting how early failures shaped his leadership style. Corey emphasizes the value of constructive feedback and the complexities of building a strong company culture. He also reflects on the significance of hiring the right candidates and the intricate balance of leadership, advocating for humility and adaptability as essential traits for success.
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Transformative Education Experience
- Corey Thomas was bused to a magnet school that raised expectations radically in 10th grade.
- Exposure to success changed his mindset from aiming for a job to pursuing compelling achievements.
No Tolerance for Immature Leadership
- Corey fired an executive for childish outbursts he would not tolerate from a child.
- He expects self-control and maturity from leaders, regardless of position.
Culture Depends on Context
- Company culture is what people believe makes them successful and guides their behavior.
- Culture must align with context; there's no one perfect culture for all situations.