The Tim Ferriss Show

#543: Legendary Investor John Doerr on Picking Winners — From Google in 1999 to Solving the Climate Crisis Now

Nov 3, 2021

Venture capitalist John Doerr, chair of Kleiner Perkins and author of bestsellers like "Measure What Matters," dives deep into climate solutions and the tech industry. He reflects on his early days in Silicon Valley, sharing humorous stories of persistence. Doerr discusses the impact of OKRs and Andy Grove's management philosophy on successful ventures. He stresses the urgent need for climate action to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and addresses the obstacles posed by fossil fuel industries, urging collective responsibility for a sustainable future.

01:13:17

Episode guests

John Doerr

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Quick takeaways

Setting objectives and key results (OKRs) is vital in achieving organizational goals and maintaining focus.

Investing in clean tech has become more attractive due to increased market need, technological advancements, and a surge in venture funding.

Making meaning in life involves fulfilling societal responsibilities, such as providing a healthy climate for future generations.

Deep dives

Importance of Setting Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)

Setting objectives and key results (OKRs) is vital in achieving organizational goals and maintaining focus. Larry Page and Sergey Brin of Google implemented OKRs to build the world's best browser, with Sundar Pichai leading the project. By setting audacious goals like reaching 20 million weekly active users, they drove innovation and achieved success even after missing initial targets. OKRs can be applied to personal life too, such as setting a key result of being present for dinner with family 20 nights a month. OKRs keep individuals and organizations focused, aligned, and committed to accomplishing what truly matters.

Presenting OKRs to google

02:08

Climate Justice and Equity

01:16

The big ambitions of google

01:58

You Better Fix It

04:01

Intro

4min

A Journey of Persistence and Serendipity in Silicon Valley

4min

The Impact of Andy Grove and the Philosophy of OKRs

21min

Navigating Climate Objectives through OKRs

5min

The Urgency of Climate Action: A Critical Look at Our Future

2min

Facing the Challenges of Climate Change

4min

Investing in a Sustainable Future

23min

Climate Action and Collective Responsibility

12min

Legendary Investor John Doerr on Picking Winners — From Google in 1999 to Solving the Climate Crisis Now | Brought to you by ShipStation shipping software; Allform premium, modular furniture; and Athletic Greens all-in-one nutritional supplement. More on all three below.

John Doerr (@johndoerr) is an engineer, venture capitalist, the chair of Kleiner Perkins, and the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Measure What Matters. His new book is Speed and Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now.

John was an original investor and board member at Google and Amazon, helping to create more than half a million jobs. A pioneer of Silicon Valley’s cleantech movement, John has invested in zero-emission technologies since 2006. He’s passionate about encouraging leaders to reimagine the future, from transforming healthcare to advancing applications of machine learning.

Outside Kleiner Perkins, John works with social entrepreneurs who are tackling systemic issues across climate, public health, and education.

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