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

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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.

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ANECDOTE

Silicon Valley Relocation

John Doerr moved to Silicon Valley without a job, place to live, or girlfriend.
He cold-called his way into an Intel internship and rekindled his relationship with his now-wife.

INSIGHT

Learning from Andy Grove

Andy Grove, influential manager and leader, emphasized disciplined goal-setting and intellectual honesty.
Doerr learned OKRs from Grove at Intel and introduced them to companies like Google.

ADVICE

Importance of Sales Experience

To become a successful manager, gain experience in sales and customer relations.
Understanding customer needs and motivating sales teams are crucial.

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Speed and Scale

John Doerr

In 'Speed & Scale', John Doerr presents a detailed plan to address the climate crisis using Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). The book features insights from prominent figures like Bill Gates and Al Gore, outlining practical steps for individuals, businesses, and governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach net-zero by 2050. It emphasizes the urgency and potential for economic growth through sustainable practices.

Measure What Matters

Laura Patterson

John Doerr's "Measure What Matters" explores the power of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) as a goal-setting system. The book showcases how OKRs have been used by companies like Google and Intel to achieve ambitious goals. Doerr emphasizes the importance of setting clear, measurable objectives and tracking progress regularly. The book also highlights the importance of aligning goals across teams and organizations. It provides a practical framework for setting and achieving ambitious goals in various contexts, including business and personal life.

The Uninhabitable Earth

Life After Warming

David Wallace-Wells

The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming is a comprehensive and alarming account of the potential impacts of climate change. The book, inspired by Wallace-Wells' 2017 New York Magazine article of the same name, explores various scenarios of Earth's future under different temperature increases. It discusses a wide range of climate-related disasters, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, extinctions, disease outbreaks, fires, droughts, famines, and increased geopolitical conflict. While the book focuses on the dire consequences rather than solutions, it acknowledges that measures such as a carbon tax, changes in agricultural practices, and investments in green energy and carbon capture could mitigate some of the worst effects. The book is praised for its urgent and detailed portrayal of climate change but has also been criticized for its alarmist tone and lack of concrete solutions[1][2][4].

The 4-Hour Body

An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman

Tim Ferriss

In 'The 4-Hour Body,' Tim Ferriss shares the results of over a decade of self-experimentation and research, involving hundreds of elite athletes, dozens of MDs, and thousands of hours of personal testing. The book covers more than 50 topics, including how to lose weight quickly, gain muscle without steroids, sleep less and perform better, and improve sexual health. Ferriss emphasizes the importance of finding the smallest changes that produce the biggest results, making it accessible for readers to achieve significant improvements in their physical health and performance.