OPERATORS
E100: Harley on Operators
Mar 12, 2025
Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify, shares insights on leading a rapidly growing e-commerce platform. He discusses the evolution of roles in company building, the power of storytelling, and the significance of long-term leadership. Harley highlights the importance of specializing in skills and maintaining transparency in public companies. He dives into how AI is transforming customer acquisition and service. The conversation also touches on the supportive e-commerce community and how platforms like Shopify empower entrepreneurs to innovate and thrive.
01:11:22
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Quick takeaways
- Harley Finkelstein emphasizes the importance of role specialization within Shopify to maximize individual contributions in the company’s growth journey.
- He highlights that long-tenured employees possess invaluable contextual knowledge, fostering a strong culture and leadership continuity amid rapid expansion.
Deep dives
Harley's Parenting Experience
The speaker shares a humorous anecdote about his experience with parenting while his wife is away. He describes how his children, aged five and eight, took the initiative to get ready for school by dressing themselves and preparing breakfast. This unexpected smoothness in their morning routine leads him to reflect on how his kids perceive his parenting skills. His wife suggests that their good behavior stems from their belief that he may not handle parenting tasks as well, effectively making them ‘help’ him.
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