The Logan Bartlett Show
EP 122: Okta CEO Todd McKinnon on Scaling to $13B, High-Stakes Decisions, and Market Dynamics
Nov 8, 2024
Todd McKinnon, Co-founder and CEO of Okta, shares insights from scaling his company to a $13B industry leader. He discusses the high-stakes decisions that shaped Okta, including the importance of market timing and building a strong team. Todd reflects on the psychological shifts in leadership and the critical relationship with board members. He also emphasizes the need for long-term thinking in investor relations and the challenges of innovation amidst growth, offering compelling anecdotes from his entrepreneurial journey.
01:21:28
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Quick takeaways
- Todd McKinnon emphasizes the need for strong belief and compartmentalization of challenges to sustain progress while founding a startup.
- Effective decision-making in startups requires careful deliberation and a balanced company culture focused on execution and accountability.
Deep dives
The Importance of Belief in Uncertain Times
Navigating the startup landscape requires a strong sense of belief, even when doubts arise. The founder's journey is filled with uncertainty, and one must compartmentalize these challenges to focus on execution. Understanding that despite hard work, success remains unpredictable is crucial for maintaining day-to-day progress. Embracing the mindset of 'believing even if you don’t believe' can help sustain motivation throughout the tumultuous early stages of founding a company.
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