Long Strange Trip: CEO to CEO with Brian Halligan Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon: What Startup Founders Get Wrong About the CEO Job
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Dec 18, 2025 David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, shares insights from his extensive banking career. He argues that CEOs often face difficult '51/49' decisions, emphasizing the importance of experience over pure intelligence. Solomon reflects on mentorship from industry giants, highlights the value of resilience in hiring, and discusses how partnerships can succeed or fail based on alignment. He also explores how AI will influence the apprenticeship culture and recounts lessons from winding down Goldman’s consumer banking efforts. Plus, some unexpected twists about his passion for DJing!
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Client Trust As True North
- Goldman Sachs' enduring ethos is building client trust, taking a long-term view, and doing the right thing.
- That client-centric compass underpins decisions that create long-term value for the firm.
Focus On The 51/49 Decisions
- If a decision is easy, it shouldn't reach the CEO's desk.
- Reserve your time for the 51/49 judgments that truly require CEO-level judgment.
Rotate To Build CEO Readiness
- Do a variety of roles to prepare to lead a large organization.
- Seek rotations and broaden experience instead of fixating on a single career ladder.