Masters of Scale

When to zoom in, when to zoom out, w/Josh Silverman (Etsy/eBay/Skype/Evite)

Jan 23, 2020

Josh Silverman, CEO of Etsy and former leader at Evite, eBay, and Skype, dives into the art of balancing macro and micro perspectives in business. He shares insights on navigating challenges in entrepreneurship while prioritizing employee welfare and team cohesion. Silverman discusses the importance of knowing when to focus on details and when to step back for the bigger picture. He also explores transformative strategies that enhance user experience and foster a supportive workplace culture, proving that leadership is all about adaptability.

39:34

Episode guests

Josh Silverman

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

5min

Navigating Challenges: The Balance of Detail and Strategy in Entrepreneurship

3min

Embracing Complexity: A Leader's Journey

16min

Microbial Connections: Ecosystems and Entrepreneurship

8min

Decisive Transformations at Skype and Etsy

6min

Balancing Buyers and Team Wellbeing

8min

When do you see the forest? And when do you see the trees? Building a company to scale requires a delicate balance of macro and micro focus – and the skill to know where to focus when. Josh Silverman has built that skill in leadership roles at Evite, eBay, Skype, and now Etsy. What he’s learned: Success isn’t just about zooming in on the details or taking the long view – but about knowing when to switch between perspectives.

Read Nik Money's book The Selfish Ape: Human Nature and Our Path to Extinction.

Watch Scott Suko topple dominoes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IuUp-rI0VU&feature=youtu.be

Read a transcript of this interview at: https://mastersofscale.com/josh-silverman-when-to-zoom-in-when-to-zoom-out/

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