Masters of Scale

Steve Horgan, a legendary field hockey umpire, shares insights on managing conflict effectively in high-pressure situations. He discusses the importance of constructive disagreement, using examples from historic matches like India vs. Pakistan. Horgan emphasizes the need for radical truthfulness in teams to promote innovation and better decision-making. The conversation also explores balancing open debate with direction in organizations and considers how AI can influence decision-making while stressing the importance of human context.

Billionaire entrepreneur Marc Lore, co-founder of Jet.com and former Walmart e-commerce president, discusses his ambitious vision for the future. He shares plans for Telosa, a sustainable new city aiming to tackle socioeconomic issues through community land ownership. Lore also delves into his recent investments in sports, including acquiring the Minnesota Timberwolves, and emphasizes his approach to entrepreneurship: focusing on vision, capital, and people. With innovative ideas like the 'Lobatical' employee benefit, he highlights the importance of appreciation in driving success.

Luis von Ahn, the founder and CEO of Duolingo, shares insights on harnessing crowdsourcing to fuel growth for his language-learning app with over 300 million users. He discusses how passionate users contribute to content creation, transforming Duolingo into a dynamic platform. Luis examines the balance of gamification in education and emphasizes the importance of aligning community motivation with business goals. He also highlights innovative employee appreciation strategies that enhance workplace culture, showcasing the synergy between employee satisfaction and customer experience.

Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, discusses her leadership during challenging times, including COVID-19 mandates for vaccinations and navigating athlete activism. She tackles tough issues like sexual misconduct and mental health in sports, aiming to foster a culture of accountability. Hirshland also emphasizes the need for inclusivity as the organization prepares for the 2028 Summer Olympics, reflecting on the evolving mission of American athletics amidst societal changes.

Jessica Alba, founder of The Honest Company and a celebrated actress, discusses her journey of creating eco-friendly products that prioritize customer needs. She highlights her mantra, 'IRL' (In Real Life), emphasizing genuine understanding of customer experiences. Alba shares how her personal challenges shaped her advocacy for safe products and representation in media. She also explores the innovative subscription model of her company, designed to simplify parenting, and stresses the importance of trust and transparency in business partnerships.

Sudhakar Ramakrishna, CEO of SolarWinds, leads a tech company that faced a major cyberattack impacting many organizations. He shares urgent lessons on crisis management and the realities of cybersecurity. Ramakrishna emphasizes that every company is vulnerable, highlighting the importance of humility and adaptability in the face of breaches. He discusses the complexities of modern threats, the need for transparency, and the critical role of effective communication in navigating cybersecurity challenges.

Sheila Lirio Marcelo, founder and former CEO of Care.com, discusses her journey in the care marketplace. She emphasizes the critical role of data in scaling businesses, advocating for a data-driven approach to entrepreneurship. Marcelo shares insights on choosing the right market opportunities and highlights the impact of caregiving on economic growth. Her vision extends to empowering women in the workforce and improving consumer interfaces, blending personal experiences with strategic business innovation.

Sridhar Ramaswamy, the former head of Google's ad business and founder of the ad-free search engine Neeva, critiques big tech's scaling practices. He shares insights on transitioning from an ad-driven model to prioritizing user experience through subscriptions. Ramaswamy emphasizes the urgent need for responsible tech scaling, reflecting on the ethical pitfalls of major platforms like Google and Amazon. He also offers strategies for startups to carve out their niche in a monopolistic environment, advocating for an approach that values societal responsibilities over mere profit.

Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, is known for her transformative leadership and focus on "Performance with Purpose." In this engaging conversation, she discusses how fostering a creative and supportive environment unlocks team potential. Nooyi shares insights on nurturing diverse talent, employee satisfaction initiatives like the Lobatical, and the importance of consumer-centric innovation. She highlights her journey of viewing each employee as an individual asset and the strategic leadership necessary to tackle challenges faced by women in the workforce.

Mary Schmidt Campbell, President of Spelman College, shares her experiences navigating leadership in challenging times. She emphasizes the importance of listening to the community, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, where effective communication defused potential boycotts. Dr. Campbell highlights how fostering collaboration among voices leads to better solutions. She also discusses initiatives boosting voter engagement and innovative entrepreneurship among students, showcasing Spelman's commitment to supporting its community and enhancing educational opportunities.