The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish #212 How to Win by Being Right and Contrarian: Lessons from Zappos to DoorDash
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Jan 21, 2025 
Alfred Lin, a partner at Sequoia Capital with a notable background in leading Zappos, Airbnb, and DoorDash, shares his wisdom on startup growth and resilience. He discusses the importance of hiring for potential and navigating crises through first-principles thinking. Lin delves into innovative strategies for building strong company cultures and prioritizing customer experience. Discover how his experiences have shaped his investment mindset, emphasizing adaptability and long-lasting value creation amidst challenges.
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Early Life Lessons
- Alfred Lin's parents described him as high variance and high beta due to his unconventional approach to problem-solving, like climbing a dresser at age two.
- His teacher, Mrs. Einstein, challenged him to think about enduring impact over short-term gains, changing his perspective on life.
Learning Teamwork
- Alfred Lin was suspended from the computer lab for building a game that distracted other students.
- His teacher, Mrs. Pitosa, then encouraged him to join the math team, where he learned the value of teamwork.
Hiring and Firing
- Hire slowly and understand who you're hiring.
- Let go of employees who aren't working out quickly, which can significantly affect a company's velocity.
