Stanford GSB: View From The Top

S7E4: Aicha Evans: "You Must Have The Irrational Belief That It Will Work Out"

Dec 15, 2023

Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox, shares insights on leading in a dynamic industry, navigating corporate acquisitions, and the importance of having an irrational belief in startup success. She reflects on the challenges and opportunities in the autonomous vehicle industry, addressing regulatory issues, job security concerns, and the potential impact on driving roles. Evans also discusses the need to clean up the internet before advancing with AI, emphasizing the importance of addressing digital clutter for a safer digital environment. Additionally, she explores managing irritation and relationships at work, highlighting the significance of respect, boundaries, and personal growth.

56:07

Episode guests

Aicha Evans

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Success in startups requires irrational belief and determination, backing up and reassessing when facing challenges.

Leadership success involves aligning visions, fostering innovation, and addressing societal concerns in autonomous vehicle industry.

Deep dives

Zoooks CEO on the Importance of Execution and Determination

Execution is key, not the idea itself. Aisha Evans emphasizes the need for irrational belief and determination for success. She discusses Zoox's vision for autonomous vehicles and her journey to CEO, highlighting the importance of leadership in the industry.

Intro

1min

Career Journey and Leadership Reflections

14min

Joining Zoox and the Acquisition by Amazon

15min

Positioning and Challenges in the Autonomous Vehicle Industry

12min

Reflections on Cleaning Up the Internet and Addressing Digital Clutter

2min

Exploring the Potential of Autonomous Vehicles and Addressing Challenges in the Industry

7min

Managing Irritation and Relationships at Work

5min

"My first piece of advice is only take the role if you are really interested in it. Startups are hard," says Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox. "And when it's tough, you find a way, you make a way, you back up the boat, you reassess, you pivot. And so if you don't have that irrational belief and pull, don't do it."

Aicha Evans took the role of CEO at autonomous vehicle company Zoox in 2019. And in 2020, she led the company's acquisition by Amazon for $1.3B.

Evans visited Stanford Graduate School of Business for View From The Top and was interviewed by Katie Harris, MBA '24. In their conversation, Evans addressed the challenges of leading in a highly dynamic industry, the nuances of navigating corporate transitions and acquisitions, and the principles guiding her leadership in a future-focused company.

For a full transcript of this conversation, visit the podcast webpage.

Stanford GSB’s View From The Top is the dean’s premier speaker series. It launched in 1978 and is supported in part by the F. Kirk Brennan Speaker Series Fund.

During student-led interviews and before a live audience, leaders from around the world share insights on effective leadership, their personal core values, and lessons learned throughout their career.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Stanford GSB: View From The Top

S7E4: Aicha Evans: "You Must Have The Irrational Belief That It Will Work Out"

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Zoooks CEO on the Importance of Execution and Determination

The Influence of Cultural Background on Aisha Evans

Lessons Learned from Rising to Chief Strategy Officer at Intel

Navigating Corporate Acquisitions and Leadership Challenges at Zoox

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts