The a16z Show Wartime vs Peacetime: Ben Horowitz on Leadership
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Jan 2, 2026 
Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz and bestselling author, joins Jorge Conde for a dynamic discussion on leadership. They dive into the crucial differences between wartime and peacetime CEOs and how decisive actions can shift company culture. Ben shares insights from his book, exploring how historical figures like Toussaint Louverture reveal profound leadership lessons. The conversation also tackles the challenges of startups in healthcare and emphasizes the need for founders to embrace AI's potential.
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Individuals Can Shift History
- Individual leaders can change world outcomes in decisive moments rather than history being only broad cultural forces.
- Ben Horowitz cites Netscape-era security work and founders like Elon Musk as examples where one person's action altered timelines.
SSL At Netscape Turned The Tide
- At Netscape, Kip Hickman built SSL quickly and changed the trajectory of the internet's openness and security.
- Horowitz argues that SSL prevented a proprietary Microsoft-style net and enabled the open internet we have today.
Toussaint Built Trust To Win
- Toussaint Louverture transformed a low-trust slave society into a high-trust military culture, enabling Haiti's successful revolt.
- Horowitz highlights rules like officers not cheating on their wives to enforce trust and win popular support.