Allan Thygesen, CEO of DocuSign and former leader at Google’s $100 billion ad business, shares his insights on leadership and innovation. He emphasizes that everyone plays a salesperson's role, a crucial aspect for effective leadership. Thygesen offers practical advice on integrating AI into businesses while highlighting the balance between customer experience and product expectations. He also discusses the importance of clear communication with investors and nurturing talent over control, drawing from his rich experiences in Silicon Valley.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Career Growth
Master your initial craft fully before moving on.
Take risks and move sideways to learn other company functions, broadening your perspective.
insights INSIGHT
Silicon Valley Rollercoaster
Silicon Valley experiences boom and bust cycles, impacting company trajectories.
Thygesen experienced various outcomes, from bankruptcies to successful IPOs.
insights INSIGHT
Company Foundation
A successful company needs a differentiated product in a large market.
It also requires a capable execution team; other factors are secondary.
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First published in 1936, 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' by Dale Carnegie is a timeless guide to improving interpersonal skills. The book is divided into four main sections: Six Ways to Make People Like You, Twelve Ways to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and Nine Ways to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment. Carnegie's principles emphasize the importance of genuine interest in others, active listening, and avoiding criticism and argument. The book offers practical advice on how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and influence others by aligning their self-interest with yours. It has been a cornerstone of personal development and business success for generations[2][3][5].
Today’s guest is Allan Thygesen, the CEO of Docusign. Before that, he led Google’s $100 billion advertising business in North and South America.
In this conversation, you’ll get a front row seat to how he approaches technology and innovation—including his advice for integrating AI into your business.
Plus, he’s got an outlook on sales you need to hear. If selling makes you a little uncomfortable, don’t worry! Listen to this conversation and learn how to embrace that role—and why you can’t overlook it if you want other people to follow you.
You’ll also learn:
Practical advice to integrate AI into your business
The two most important factors for a startup
Why what seemed like “chaos” at Google was actually key to innovation
How to make your team more well rounded
Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:
The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go
Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day
Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.
How Leaders Lead with David Novak 