Fidji Simo: Harnessing Inner Power - [Glue Guys, EP.19]

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Jan 2, 2025

Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart and former head of the Facebook app, shares her extraordinary journey from a fishing village in France to leading major tech companies. She discusses how personal challenges, including living with a rare genetic disease, shaped her leadership style. Fidji emphasizes the importance of resilience, finding ‘magic’ in people, and the value of collaboration. Her insights offer ambitious leaders strategies to drive change while embracing vulnerability and nurturing meaningful relationships.

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ANECDOTE

From Fishing Village to Tech Leader

Fidji Simo grew up in Sète, a fishing village in southern France, where her family worked in the fishing industry.
This upbringing instilled in her the values of hard work, ambition, and leadership, which she carries to this day.

ANECDOTE

Inspiration for Higher Education

A documentary about HEC Paris, a leading business school, inspired a young Fidji to pursue higher education.
This exposure to a world beyond her hometown, combined with her family's belief in hard work, fueled her ambition.

ANECDOTE

Standing Out From the Crowd

At HEC Paris, Fidji's background differed from her peers, whose fathers held prestigious positions.
She secured an internship at eBay by diligently checking the school's website, demonstrating her proactive approach.

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From a family of fishermen in southern France to CEO of Instacart – Fidji Simo's path breaks every convention. After becoming her family's first high school graduate and attending France's leading university, she rose to lead the Facebook app before taking the helm at Instacart. She shares how she ‘finds the magic’ in people while delivering incredible outcomes. Beyond business, Fidji opens up about living with a rare genetic disease and how it led her to embrace vulnerability. This discussion is full of strategies for ambitious leaders who want to drive change while staying true to themselves.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys

(00:00:59) Introducing Fidji Simo: From Fishing Village to Tech Leader

(00:02:47) Fidji's Humble Beginnings and Family Influence

(00:05:32) Pursuing Dreams: Education and Early Career

(00:08:36) Support Systems: The Role of Family and Mentors

(00:10:27) Navigating Challenges: From Facebook Rejection to Success

(00:17:11) Leadership Lessons from a Fishing Family

(00:31:27) Breaking Through in Tech: Mentorship and Sponsorship

(00:34:13) Working with Titans: Inside Facebook's Culture

(00:36:16) Navigating Fame and Relatability as a CEO

(00:38:44) Transitioning to Instacart: Challenges and Objectives

(00:40:07) Implementing New Strategies for Growth

(00:42:50) Personal Health Struggles and Professional Resilience

(00:47:12) The Importance of Acceptance and Finding Joy

(00:51:41) Cultivating a Growth Mindset

(01:00:41) Building Strong Relationships and Team Dynamics

(01:05:40) Unsung Heroes