The recent trend of big companies going public stems from factors such as the decline of the VC market and the need for liquidity among employees and investors, but some companies may have less noble motives for going public.
While abusive behavior in leadership is unacceptable, there can be underlying motivations for creating urgency and driving change; setting boundaries, intervening when necessary, and promoting empathy are important in managing tough situations.
Deep dives
The IPO Fever: Big Companies Going Public
The podcast episode discusses the recent trend of big companies going public and the factors driving this IPO fever. It highlights how the VC market's decline has led companies to consider going public as an opportunistic move. It also mentions that genuine capital needs and the desire for liquidity among employees and investors are drivers for companies to go public. The episode acknowledges that while some companies have valid reasons for going public, others might be motivated by less noble intentions. The scale and valuations of these IPOs are also noted as significant and potentially misconceived.
The Pros and Cons of Going Public
The podcast explores the pros and cons associated with companies going public. It points out that being a public company brings added scrutiny, regulatory compliance, and managing shareholders' expectations. While there are benefits of accessing capital and providing liquidity to employees and investors, the episode emphasizes the need for companies to focus on their fundamentals, including their business needs and employee well-being. It suggests that companies should carefully evaluate whether going public aligns with their long-term objectives and whether they are prepared to handle the complexities of being a public company.
Abusive Leadership and its Complexities
The episode delves into the topic of abusive leadership and the challenges it presents. It acknowledges that while abusive behavior is unacceptable, it also highlights the underlying motivations of creating urgency and driving change in complacent organizations. The podcast discusses the difficulty in distinguishing between being tough and being abusive and the importance of setting boundaries and intervening when behavior crosses the line. Gender dynamics in perceived abusive behavior are also mentioned, along with the need for empathy, social intelligence, and effective leadership in managing tough situations.
Using Technology to Enhance Real-life Experiences
The podcast episode suggests the use of technology to enhance real-life experiences. It recommends an app called Hopper that uses artificial intelligence to predict flight prices accurately. The app provides a visualization of flight prices, helping users make informed decisions about travel dates and costs. Another suggestion is the creation of photo books using services like Motif. This allows users to curate and print personal photo collections, creating meaningful keepsakes and bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds. A film recommendation, 'Shoplifters,' a thoughtful and touching Japanese drama, is also discussed for its ability to stay with viewers long after watching.
Youngme, Felix, and Mihir discuss why so many high-profile companies (Uber, Lyft, Pinterest, Airbnb, Slack, Postmates, Casper, Peloton, etc.) are planning to go public this year. They also debate whether it’s acceptable for bosses to throw temper tantrums at work.
You can email your comments and ideas for future episodes to: harvardafterhours@gmail.com. You can follow Youngme and Mihir on Twitter at: @YoungmeMoon and @DesaiMihirA.
