Reid Hoffman

And the things that I – you're only world-class, but things you're passionate about. The things I'm passionate about is like the technology strategy, the product strategy, the kind of the big idea for what you're doing there. And I love working with super high-powered talent. And one of the things that I had kind of learned is, well, that's the reason I like working with founders.

And the things that I – you're only world-class, but things you're passionate about. The things I'm passionate about is like the technology strategy, the product strategy, the kind of the big idea for what you're doing there. And I love working with super high-powered talent. And one of the things that I had kind of learned is, well, that's the reason I like working with founders.

That's the reason I like working with CEOs. Because to some degree, it's like, okay, you're the talent I'm working with on this company, right, in order to do that. And so I was like, eh, I like doing more of being a board member working with CEOs more than I like being the CEO once you get past 150 people. So that's what I should be doing.

That's the reason I like working with CEOs. Because to some degree, it's like, okay, you're the talent I'm working with on this company, right, in order to do that. And so I was like, eh, I like doing more of being a board member working with CEOs more than I like being the CEO once you get past 150 people. So that's what I should be doing.

What I need to do is I need to get LinkedIn to a point where it's already, you know, it's already kind of hit breakout velocity, right? And so you can recruit now a world-class CEO that you can work with, right? And that's what I should do. And, you know, like, for example, the entire time that Jeff Weiner was the CEO of LinkedIn, my primary office was immediately next door to his. Interesting.

What I need to do is I need to get LinkedIn to a point where it's already, you know, it's already kind of hit breakout velocity, right? And so you can recruit now a world-class CEO that you can work with, right? And that's what I should do. And, you know, like, for example, the entire time that Jeff Weiner was the CEO of LinkedIn, my primary office was immediately next door to his. Interesting.

And yes, everybody, myself included, does have a big ego. But my ego is, you have to attach the right way. My ego is attached to LinkedIn succeeding.

And yes, everybody, myself included, does have a big ego. But my ego is, you have to attach the right way. My ego is attached to LinkedIn succeeding.

So it's funny. I try to never – like one of the funny things, I never repost things that call me billionaire and so forth because I try to not have that identity. I am aware that it's an accurate descriptor. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But it's not like the way I think of myself. I don't think of myself as Reid Hoffman billionaire. I think of myself as Reid Hoffman technologist, Reid Hoffman –

So it's funny. I try to never – like one of the funny things, I never repost things that call me billionaire and so forth because I try to not have that identity. I am aware that it's an accurate descriptor. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But it's not like the way I think of myself. I don't think of myself as Reid Hoffman billionaire. I think of myself as Reid Hoffman technologist, Reid Hoffman –

Public intellectual, Reid Hoffman, creative strategist, Reid Hoffman, et cetera. So I try to... changed my life as in those directions, not in the wealth direction. Now, of course, I travel around in a private plane. I own houses in several different areas of the world, that kind of stuff. But I try to live a life within those high wealth things as much as an upper middle class person as I can.

Public intellectual, Reid Hoffman, creative strategist, Reid Hoffman, et cetera. So I try to... changed my life as in those directions, not in the wealth direction. Now, of course, I travel around in a private plane. I own houses in several different areas of the world, that kind of stuff. But I try to live a life within those high wealth things as much as an upper middle class person as I can.

So, for example, before I came here to do the interview, I got here a little early, so I went to the nearby Starbucks, had a cup of coffee, pulled up my laptop, was working on it. Interesting. Because that's the way that I want to live, right? And I want human relationships that are like that. I think human relationships are really important. I feel lucky to have –

So, for example, before I came here to do the interview, I got here a little early, so I went to the nearby Starbucks, had a cup of coffee, pulled up my laptop, was working on it. Interesting. Because that's the way that I want to live, right? And I want human relationships that are like that. I think human relationships are really important. I feel lucky to have –

relationships with some people who are these really, really amazing people. But by the way, there's amazing people who are like world celebrities and there's amazing people who the world doesn't know about. I just like going through life with amazing people and that's part of what I mean by that. You've always been

relationships with some people who are these really, really amazing people. But by the way, there's amazing people who are like world celebrities and there's amazing people who the world doesn't know about. I just like going through life with amazing people and that's part of what I mean by that. You've always been

I heard that you got pepper sprayed when you were a kid because... Because I was a kid on my father's shoulder at a demonstration against the Vietnam War.

I heard that you got pepper sprayed when you were a kid because... Because I was a kid on my father's shoulder at a demonstration against the Vietnam War.

Yes, I'm aware of that. But not just billionaires. I've been called evil by a number of people on the left. Really? Yes, of course. Look, they are wrong that that is a necessary correlation, right? But I try to understand people. I understand their perspective. I disagree with it, but I understand it.

Yes, I'm aware of that. But not just billionaires. I've been called evil by a number of people on the left. Really? Yes, of course. Look, they are wrong that that is a necessary correlation, right? But I try to understand people. I understand their perspective. I disagree with it, but I understand it.