Airbnb Co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky joins Jay Shetty for an eye-opening conversation. They discuss the importance of choosing the right people to surround yourself with, coping with success and loneliness, and the role of creativity in problem-solving. Brian shares insights on maintaining valuable friendships and the need for balance in focusing on goals and building a thriving community. They also address mental health and outdated self-perceptions that hinder personal growth. Join this engaging conversation for wisdom and connection!
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Quick takeaways
Choosing the right people to surround yourself with is crucial for success and personal growth.
Loneliness and disconnection are widespread issues that need to be addressed, and deep connections are essential for well-being.
Creativity and innovation can be unlocked by embracing curiosity, multidisciplinary thinking, and trusting one's unique experiences.
Finding balance between professional success and personal fulfillment is key, as true happiness lies in meaningful connections and living aligned with one's values.
Deep dives
Loneliness and the Power of Connection
Loneliness is a prevalent issue in today's society, with many feeling disconnected and misunderstood despite being surrounded by people. Brian Chesky shares his personal experience with loneliness and how it has shaped his journey. He emphasizes the importance of solitude and introspection, as well as cultivating deep and meaningful connections with others. Chesky discusses the societal impact of loneliness and highlights the need for diversity in leadership, where artists and creatives bring their unique perspectives to solve problems. He also explores the potential of Airbnb to foster connections and create community, moving beyond being just a travel service.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
Chesky reflects on his personal journey of finding happiness and purpose, from initially seeking success and climbing the corporate ladder, to realizing that true fulfillment comes from doing what he loves and working with people he cares about. He shares the evolution of his motivations, shifting from self-focused aspirations to a desire to give back and create meaningful experiences for others. Chesky also delves into the lessons he has learned about himself through the highs and lows of building Airbnb, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's own strengths and weaknesses.
Building and Sustaining Meaningful Relationships
Chesky emphasizes the significance of cultivating and maintaining deep relationships, especially in the face of success and growth. He shares his own experience of feeling isolated and disconnected as a CEO of a global company, and the realization that surrounding oneself with loved ones and fostering genuine connections is essential for personal well-being and effective leadership. Chesky also explores the dynamics and challenges of working with co-founders, highlighting the importance of mutual trust, respect, and shared values in sustaining strong team dynamics.
Embracing Curiosity and Multidisciplinary Thinking
Chesky discusses the role of curiosity and multidisciplinary thinking in fostering creativity and innovation. He advocates for being open to diverse experiences and interests, as well as embracing the unknown potential within oneself. Chesky reflects on his own journey, which encompassed playing sports, studying design, and entering the technology industry. He emphasizes the need for individuals to follow their curiosity, trust in the accumulation of their experiences, and have the courage to connect seemingly unrelated dots in order to unlock their creative potential.
The Power of Curiosity and Connection
Brian Chesky, the co-founder of Airbnb, reflects on the importance of curiosity and connection in personal and professional journeys. He highlights the significance of embracing one's unique experiences and passions, rather than conforming to societal expectations. Chesky encourages individuals to seek out new experiences, follow their curiosity, and continuously evolve. He emphasizes the importance of finding the balance between professional success and personal fulfillment, recognizing that true happiness lies in meaningful connections and living a life aligned with one's values. Through his own experiences, he acknowledges the challenges of maintaining clarity and staying true to oneself amidst success and external pressures. Chesky urges individuals to reframe their mindset, embrace the power of curiosity, and create a world that fosters genuine connections and a sense of family.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
Chesky shares his personal journey of self-discovery, highlighting the importance of reevaluating priorities, seeking clarity, and understanding oneself in different stages of life. He reflects on the significance of embracing change and learning from past experiences. Chesky emphasizes the value of redefining success and happiness, recognizing that personal fulfillment extends beyond professional achievements. He learns to navigate the tension between focusing on the future and cherishing the present moment, understanding that his path is a continuous exploration of self-discovery and growth.
The Realization of Connection and Being Seen
Chesky expresses the power of being seen and connecting with others on a deeper level. He shares how embracing vulnerability and staying true to oneself can foster genuine connections. Chesky emphasizes the importance of understanding that while external success and recognition are significant, true fulfillment comes from genuine connections, love, and finding one's place in a community. He encourages individuals to let go of the pressure to please others and prioritize authenticity in their personal and professional lives.
Embracing Paradoxes and Designing a Meaningful Life
Chesky discusses the importance of embracing paradoxes and finding balance in life. He acknowledges the challenges and rewards of navigating personal and professional dichotomies, such as scale and intimacy, success and isolation, wisdom and curiosity. Chesky encourages individuals to see connections in everything, embracing curiosity and interest to unearth the fascinating aspects of life. He highlights the significance of designing a life that aligns with one's values and fosters genuine connections, emphasizing the importance of zooming in and out between the big picture and the smallest details.
How far are you willing to go to pursue your passion and achieve success?
Do you sometimes find yourself sitting in silence and getting in your own thoughts?
When we're driven by our passion, we become creative, motivated, and enduring every hardship that comes our way.
Today, Airbnb Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky sits down with Jay for an honest and eye-opening conversation about the other side of success.
Brian talks about how crucial it is to choose your group wisely for the people you surround yourself with can make a big difference, sharing success with others keeps you from feeling all alone in your victories, and the need for balance between focusing on your goals and creating a community where you can thrive.
Mental health is another important point of discussion as well as the outdated perceptions we have of ourselves that potentially blocks personal growth.
In this interview, you'll learn:
How to be wise in choosing your people
How to keep valuable friendships
How to deal with success
How to overcome loneliness
How to be of service to others
How creativity can solve problems
Join us in this engaging conversation as we navigate the twists and turns, seeking wisdom and connection for personal growth.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
02:16 Choose the people you want to surround yourself with
05:33 Going in a journey that will help you learn something new about yourself
08:47 Never allow arguments to win over your friendships
13:28 Share your success or else it might feel so isolating
18:24 To truly understand someone is to try to walk in their shoes
20:35 That feeling where you don’t fit in anywhere
28:29 Loneliness has led to a lot of mental health issues
34:59 Worry less about what people think, focus on what you can share with others
39:42 There are two words that define being alone - loneliness and solitude
41:40 Creativity is about bringing different experiences together
49:00 Try more things, have more experiences, and avoid seeking status
50:41 What would your younger self tell you now?
55:37 We are who we think other people think we are
57:48 The tendency to make an outdated perception of ourselves
01:00:32 How do you want to be remembered?
01:03:15 Singular focus is good for success but it has limitations
01:09:03 What keeps you up at night?
01:14:19 How do you process your thoughts and ideas?
01:17:38 Finding a shared value and having clarity about what you want to do
01:20:13 Losing yourself while pursuing your passion
01:24:00 How do you want to define family?
01:27:47 The wisdom of older people and the curiosity of a child
01:32:16 Even though things are interconnected, it doesn’t mean they’re all the same
