The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett CEO Diaries: LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman: The Truth About Elon, Zuck, & Building Great Companies!
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May 21, 2025 
Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and venture capitalist at Greylock Partners, reveals the surprising trait that distinguishes great entrepreneurs from the rest. He shares insights from his experiences working with innovators like Elon Musk. The conversation dives into the often-overlooked human costs of ambition and the brutal trade-offs of scaling a business. Hoffman also discusses how different leadership styles can drive diverse outcomes, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to achieve lasting success.
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Play to Your Strengths
- Entrepreneurs should focus on playing games where they have a competitive edge.
- Don't try to win in every area; leverage your unique strengths.
Entrepreneurial Styles Differ Wildly
- Reid Hoffman shares examples of different entrepreneur styles including Anil Busri's cultural focus and Elon's big-vision approach.
- Elon pitches grand ideas like sending life to Mars, which initially seemed unrealistic to Hoffman.
Hire for Culture, Not Just Skills
- When hiring, beyond skills, ensure cultural fit to build coherence.
- Conduct cultural interviews especially for early hires to shape company culture deliberately.