#590: Tony Fadell of iPod, iPhone, and Nest Fame — Stories of Steve Jobs on “Vacation,” Product Design and Team Building, Good Assholes vs. Bad Assholes, Investing in Trends Before They Become Trends, The Hydrogen Economy, The Future of Batteries, and More

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Apr 27, 2022

Tony Fadell, an entrepreneur behind the iPod and CEO of Nest, shares his vast expertise in tech innovation. He discusses the evolution of product design, revealing insights from his career at Apple and the value of effective team dynamics. Fadell emphasizes the importance of mentorship and storytelling in driving innovation. He also explores cutting-edge strategies for climate solutions, highlighting the shift from petroleum to sustainable electron-based economies. Listeners gain practical advice on creativity and leadership from his new book, 'Build.'

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INSIGHT

Climate Crisis as an Existential Challenge

The climate crisis is not only an environmental issue but also an existential one that demands urgent collective action. Addressing it is both a moral and practical necessity.

ADVICE

Mentoring Approach

Use your experiences and mentorship to craft a book or guide for others. This can serve as a mentor in a box for a wide range of readers across different ages.

ANECDOTE

Steve Jobs on Vacation Calls

Steve Jobs would often call his team during vacations, seeking to brainstorm and expand his thinking. This created a paradox where employees both enjoyed his insight and dreaded the workload upon his return.

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Speed and Scale

John Doerr

In 'Speed & Scale', John Doerr presents a detailed plan to address the climate crisis using Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). The book features insights from prominent figures like Bill Gates and Al Gore, outlining practical steps for individuals, businesses, and governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach net-zero by 2050. It emphasizes the urgency and potential for economic growth through sustainable practices.

The hundred-year marathon

Michael Pillsbury

In this book, Michael Pillsbury discusses China's secret strategy to surpass the United States as a leading global power by 2049. Drawing from his extensive experience as a China analyst and policy advisor, Pillsbury argues that China's strategy is deeply rooted in Chinese statecraft and strategic thinking, employing methods such as economic growth, espionage, and the manipulation of international norms. He critiques China's stealthy, long-term tactics and analyzes China's historical strategies influencing its modern policies. The book also highlights how the U.S. government has sometimes unwittingly or deliberately contributed to China's rise and calls for a more competitive U.S. strategy toward China.

Changing World Order

Ray Dalio

Em "Changing World Order", Ray Dalio analisa a história econômica e política global, buscando identificar padrões e ciclos que moldam a ordem mundial. Ele argumenta que a compreensão desses padrões é crucial para navegar os desafios e oportunidades do cenário internacional. Dalio apresenta uma perspectiva ampla e interdisciplinar, combinando economia, história e política para explicar as mudanças na ordem mundial. A obra é uma síntese de suas experiências e reflexões sobre a economia global, oferecendo uma visão única sobre os desafios e oportunidades do século XXI. A obra de Dalio gerou debates e controvérsias, mas continua sendo uma leitura fundamental para entender as complexidades do desenvolvimento humano.

The paleo solution

The Original Human Diet

Robb Wolf

In 'The Paleo Solution,' Robb Wolf combines cutting-edge research from genetics, biochemistry, and anthropology to advocate for a return to the ancestral diet. The book proposes that modern humans should eat in a way that mimics the dietary habits of our Paleolithic ancestors, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods such as meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, while avoiding grains, legumes, dairy products, and refined sugars. Wolf provides practical advice, meal plans, and real-life success stories to help readers transition to a Paleo lifestyle, which can lead to significant health improvements including better blood sugar control, lower cholesterol levels, reduced inflammation, and improved weight management.

Wired to eat

Robb Wolf

In 'Wired to Eat', Robb Wolf explains how our genetics are working against us in the modern world of highly palatable foods. The book delves into the science behind appetite regulation, the impact of sleep, stress, and community on health, and introduces the concept of personalized nutrition. It includes a 30-Day Reset program to normalize appetite regulation and a 7-Day Carb Test to determine individual carbohydrate tolerance. The book also discusses ketogenic diets and intermittent fasting as potential tools for health improvement. Wolf emphasizes that each person's metabolism and nutritional needs are distinct, advocating for a personalized approach to dieting rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

Of Wolves and Men

Barry López

Originally published in 1978, this book delves into the intricate and varied interactions between humans and wolves over centuries. Lopez uses a wide range of sources, including personal experiences with captive and free-ranging wolves, to create a compelling portrait of the wolf. The book celebrates scientific fieldwork, dispels folklore that has demonized wolves, explains myths, and honors indigenous traditions. It explores how wolves are perceived differently by various cultures, such as scientists, Eskimo hunters, and Native Americans, and argues for the wolf's preservation. The book also examines the historical and cultural significance of wolves in human imagination and society[1][3][4].

Build

An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making

Tony Fadell

This book is an advice encyclopedia and a mentor in a box, written for anyone looking to grow at work, from young graduates to CEOs. It charts Tony Fadell's personal journey from a product designer to a leader, startup founder, executive, and mentor. The book includes captivating examples, such as the development of the first iPod and iPhone, and offers practical advice on various aspects of product development, leadership, and entrepreneurship. It emphasizes the importance of human relationships, continuous learning, and caring deeply about the work you do.

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Tony Fadell (@tfadell) is an active investor and entrepreneur with a 30+ year history of founding companies and designing products that profoundly improve people’s lives. As the principal at Future Shape, a global investment and advisory firm coaching engineers and scientists working on foundational deep technology, he is continuing to help bring technology out of the lab and into our lives. Currently, Future Shape is coaching 200+ startups innovating game-changing technologies.

Tony began his career in Silicon Valley at General Magic, the most influential startup nobody has ever heard of. He is the founder and former CEO of Nest, the company that pioneered the “Internet of Things” and created the Nest Learning Thermostat. Tony was the SVP of Apple’s iPod Division and led the team that created the first 18 generations of the iPod and the first three generations of the iPhone. Throughout his career, Tony has authored more than 300 patents. In May 2016, TIME named the Nest Learning Thermostat, the iPod, and the iPhone as three of the “50 Most Influential Gadgets of All Time.”

His new book is Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making.

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How did Tony overcome his lack of patience long enough to write Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making? [07:38]

What did Tony learn from Steve Jobs about taking vacations, and why did he lead the “Killing Yourself for Work” chapter in Build with this story? [12:30]

As a CEO, what did Tony accomplish in his downtime? [21:03]

Tony shares his thoughts on managing big jobs with small teams, and how to chalk up wins that best alleviate burnout. [24:07]

The best practices Tony has found for efficiently dividing labor among the members of a small team. [28:40]

What do the headcount and org chart look like within Future Shape? [36:20]

How does Future Shape differ from a VC firm, and what is its mission? Why was the COVID pandemic minimally disruptive to the way the company handles meetings and does business? [39:17]

What is programmable electrification, and how is Future Shape involved in its development? [44:50]

“The story doesn’t exist to sell your product. It’s there to help you define it.” Tony shares how this concept played into the creation of Build, and what Build is intended to provide to its readership. [51:00]

How did Steve Jobs use story to define projects and products at Apple? [59:47]

Tony admits that plenty of people think he’s an asshole. But what differentiates an acceptable asshole from an unacceptable asshole? [1:01:43]

In our last conversation, Tony drove home the necessity of finding creative ways to cope with the world’s overabundance of plastics. What progress has been made on this front since then, and what other materials can be reclaimed from the things we throw away regularly? [1:06:12]

How does Tony’s small team leverage its time and resources to focus on solving the problems that will have the largest impact? [1:09:17]

Underestimated targets related to climate change that Tony thinks deserve more attention. [1:13:16]

Tony’s thoughts on the efficacy of carbon removal, and companies that are aiming to do it right. [1:17:45]

How will geopolitics figure into the supply chain for an electron-based economy? [1:24:28]

How can we cultivate optimism in our younger generations when the constant barrage of doom and gloom from the media is generating higher-than-ever levels of apathy and passivism in the populace? What can we do to consume a healthier media diet? [1:30:34]

Audience asks and parting thoughts. [1:37:58]

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