Episode 260 - CEO of Ancestry Talks Family Histories, Practical Leadership, and the Early Day of Silicon Valley with Deb Liu
Aug 1, 2023
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Deb Liu, CEO of Ancestry.com, discusses family histories, practical leadership, and the early days of Silicon Valley. Topics include uncovering family histories, the influence of the past on entrepreneurship, challenges for women in the workplace, living a life of faith, and personal reflection.
Understanding our family histories and contexts can shape us as leaders, providing valuable insight into the challenges we face today.
Exploring our own ancestry and family histories can shed light on our struggles and resilience, inspiring us to preserve and remember these stories for future generations.
Deep dives
The Power of Family History and Context in Leadership
Deb Blue, the CEO of Ancestry.com and a seasoned executive in the tech industry, discusses how our family histories and contexts can shape us as leaders. She emphasizes the importance of understanding our past to gain insight into the challenges we face today. She shares personal stories of resilience and the need to have a solid identity rooted in faith rather than material success. Deb also touches on the importance of embracing difficult positions as part of our entrepreneurial journeys and the value of finding a supportive community along the way.
Exploring Ancestry.com and the Power of Knowing Your Roots
Deb Blue highlights the significance of exploring our own ancestry and family histories. She mentions the rise in interest and usage of Ancestry.com, which empowers individuals to embark on their journeys of self-discovery. Deb discusses the value of understanding the journeys and challenges our ancestors faced, as it sheds light on our own struggles and resilience. She shares personal stories of discovering family members and their inspiring life stories. Deb emphasizes the importance of preserving and remembering these stories to pass on to future generations.
Lessons in Leadership and Personal Growth
Deb Blue shares three leadership lessons she has learned throughout her career. First, she emphasizes the importance of making great decisions and ensuring that the right decisions are made collectively rather than dictating them. Second, she encourages individuals to have a learning mindset, embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth, and be open to iteration and continuous learning. Finally, Deb highlights the significance of surrounding oneself with the right team and support networks, choosing people who align with your values and contribute to a positive and inclusive work culture.
Balancing Faith and Work in Silicon Valley
Deb Blue discusses the challenge of maintaining faith in Silicon Valley and shares her perspective on integrating faith into work. She believes that faith should inform every aspect of one's life and choices. Deb highlights the importance of being a witness through actions rather than just words, living a life that glorifies God and shows care and love for others. She encourages entrepreneurs and leaders to embody their faith and make intentional choices aligned with their values. Deb also stresses the significance of vulnerability, seeking mentors, and surrounding oneself with a supportive community.
There’s lots of talk about legacies and family stories we leave behind, but what about those that we’ve inherited? Today on the show, we mix together a conversation about family histories, practical leadership skills, and the early days of Silicon Valley with Deb Liu.
Deb is the CEO of Ancestry.com, and she’s spent the last two decades as an executive in major tech companies like Facebook, Paypal, and eBay. She’s also the founder of Women in Product, a non-profit dedicated to bringing more women leaders into technology.
In this conversation, she shares how our contexts and our histories can shape us as leaders.