Grit #215 COO Rippling Matt MacInnis: Learn the Engine
Nov 4, 2024
Matt MacInnis, COO of Rippling and a former Apple executive, shares insights on operational leadership and the importance of understanding a company’s mechanics. He likens executive roles to piloting an airplane, emphasizing the need for expertise to troubleshoot issues. Matt discusses overcoming challenges in his entrepreneurial journey, the innovative use of AI for employee evaluation, and the lessons learned from the Silicon Valley Bank crisis. He reflects on grit, teamwork, and the balance between personal and professional life, offering a compelling look at modern leadership.
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Inkling's Rollercoaster
- Matt MacInnis's Inkling had high highs, like being featured by Apple, but ultimately failed.
- He now views the experience as ego-driven, valuable, but a financial failure.
Ego and Suffering
- Starting a company for ego gratification leads to suffering when the company struggles.
- MacInnis learned that resisting what's true, like a failing business, causes unhappiness.
Product-Market Fit Experience
- Work at a company with proven product-market fit before starting your own.
- This experience inoculates you against the confusion of thinking you have product-market fit when you don't.