Everything I Learned From Seth Godin in 50 Minutes - Wes Kao
Jun 18, 2024
auto_awesome
Wes Kao, Co-founder of Maven and altMBA, shares insights on mastering skills, strategic thinking, and overcoming fear of failure learned from Seth Godin. They discuss the importance of feedback, high standards in leadership, and the balance between craftsmanship and leadership. Leaders are advised to stay connected to the craft for effective marketing strategies.
Take initiative and step out of comfort zones for significant career breaks.
Embrace continuous learning, explore new projects, and showcase expertise online for marketing success.
Deep dives
The Significance of Networking and Seizing Opportunities
The co-founder of Maven, Wes Kaia, highlights the importance of networking and seizing opportunities in her journey with Seth Godin. Kaia shares her unexpected start with Seth in 2014 when a friend sent her a blog post about a job opportunity in New York. Despite the competitive round of interviews, her direct approach through a one-take video application stood out, showcasing how taking initiative and stepping out of one's comfort zone can lead to significant career breaks.
Building Your Portfolio Through Side Quests
Kaia emphasizes the value of side quests in building a substantial portfolio in the digital era, particularly for marketers. She discusses how individuals can proactively work on side projects without waiting for traditional job opportunities, citing personal examples and experiences in content creation, SEO optimization, and entrepreneurial ventures like YouTube channels. Kaia encourages aspiring marketers to embrace the freedom of showcasing their expertise online through various channels and projects, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and exploration.
Craftsmanship and Continuous Improvement in Marketing
Kaia delves into the concept of craftsmanship and the pivotal role it plays in marketing success. Drawing parallels to the process of iterating and refining content similar to product development, she stresses the significance of refining one's skills over time to deliver impactful marketing campaigns. Kaia shares anecdotes of her early experiences in content creation and engaging with diverse platforms like SlideShare and YouTube, underscoring the value of consistently honing one's craft and embracing the iterative process of growth.
Promoting Strategic Thinking and Accountability in Leadership
The podcast explores the essential elements of effective leadership, focusing on strategic thinking and fostering a culture of accountability. Kaia discusses the necessity of aligning high standards with strategic thinking, ensuring that leaders maintain a balance between expertise in their craft and proficiency in guiding teams. By encouraging open communication, positive confrontation, and solution-oriented feedback, leaders can empower their teams, drive performance, and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
Is instant success holding you back from true mastery?
Kipp, Kieran, and guest, Wes Kao (co-founder of Maven and altMBA), dive into the lessons learned from Seth Godin about embracing the craft, overcoming fear of failure, and achieving true success through strategic thinking. Learn more on why perfecting your skills requires deliberate effort, the crucial difference between strategy and strategic thinking, and how constructive feedback can transform teams. This episode breaks down how high standards, strong leadership, and hands-on experience are the key drivers of high performance and long-term success.