The PayPal mafia have a combined net worth of $310 billion dollars.
The group of former PayPal employees have founded YouTube, SpaceX and LinkedIn.
5 lessons from the the most powerful network in Silicon Valley:
The group of former PayPal employees have founded YouTube, SpaceX and LinkedIn.
5 lessons from the the most powerful network in Silicon Valley:
Extreme focus
At PayPal, Peter Thiel required everyone to be tasked with exactly one priority.
He would refuse to discuss anything else with you except what was currently assigned as your #1 initiative.
Lesson: Focus on one thingβ put your effort behind one unique idea.
At PayPal, Peter Thiel required everyone to be tasked with exactly one priority.
He would refuse to discuss anything else with you except what was currently assigned as your #1 initiative.
Lesson: Focus on one thingβ put your effort behind one unique idea.
Long-term vision, short-term goals
Thiel's long-term vision for PayPal was to become "the Microsoft of payments."
But he put in place attainable short-term goals via achievable milestones.
Lesson: Focus on the sprints but maintain the strategic vision of the marathon.
Thiel's long-term vision for PayPal was to become "the Microsoft of payments."
But he put in place attainable short-term goals via achievable milestones.
Lesson: Focus on the sprints but maintain the strategic vision of the marathon.
Be genuinely intellectually curious
Many mafia members didn't have a formal engineering background.
Yet had a strong sense of the technology and direction PayPal was heading.
Lesson: Combine hyper-focus with a genuine curiosity for lifelong learning.
Many mafia members didn't have a formal engineering background.
Yet had a strong sense of the technology and direction PayPal was heading.
Lesson: Combine hyper-focus with a genuine curiosity for lifelong learning.
Dedication to individual accomplishment
Teams were almost considered socialist institutions.
PayPal's great innovations were driven by one person who conscripted others to support, adopt and implement the new idea.
Lesson: Avoid imposing on others' time (unnecessary meetings).
Teams were almost considered socialist institutions.
PayPal's great innovations were driven by one person who conscripted others to support, adopt and implement the new idea.
Lesson: Avoid imposing on others' time (unnecessary meetings).
Vigorous debate
Almost every important issue had champions and critics.
These were normally resolved by a vigorous debate that could be very intense.
Lesson: Be able to articulate and defend your strategy or product in a succinct, compelling manner with thoughtful analysis.
Almost every important issue had champions and critics.
These were normally resolved by a vigorous debate that could be very intense.
Lesson: Be able to articulate and defend your strategy or product in a succinct, compelling manner with thoughtful analysis.
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