Conversations with Tyler Tobi Lütke on Creating Shopify for Americans as a German in Canada
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Sep 18, 2024 
Tobi Lütke, CEO of Shopify, shares his journey from a German coder to a global e-commerce leader. He discusses the role of cultural differences in innovation, emphasizing how outsiders can be great coders. The conversation dives into why German education stifled him and contrasts craftsmanship with American business agility. Tobi explains the future of retail with AI and VR, and interestingly, he connects business insights from fantasy literature to real-world management. The podcast is a blend of personal anecdotes and profound industry lessons.
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Stand-Up Meetings
- Reintroduce stand-up meetings, especially on Friday afternoons, to accelerate business.
- Digital versions using Slack or bots are less effective than in-person meetings.
Learning as an Outsider
- Tobi Lutke learned by observing and absorbing information as an outsider, like studying Linux kernel mailing lists.
- He uses this outsider mindset in meetings by saying incorrect things to elicit corrections and learn efficiently.
Balancing Work and Life
- Avoid overusing business meeting strategies in your personal life; it can backfire.
- Schedule regular "one-on-one dinner appointments" with kids, treating them as adults in conversations.
