The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish: #212 Alfred Lin: How to Think (and Work) Like a World-Class Investor

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Alfred Lin shares strategies for navigating startup challenges, building resilient teams, and creating long-lasting value. Lin explores lessons from companies like Zappos, Airbnb, DoorDash, and Amazon, offering actionable insights on topics like hiring for potential, managing crises, and fostering innovative cultures. Learn how first-principles thinking, customer focus, and disciplined growth can transform challenges into opportunities, even in the face of unprecedented disruptions.

Lin is a partner at Sequoia Capital. He represents Sequoia on boards like Airbnb and DoorDash. From January 2005 to December 2010, he served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of Zappos. He has a Bachelors in Applied Mathematics from Harvard and a Masters in Statistics from Stanford.

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(00:00) Intro

(03:20) Personal Journey: From Taiwan to Entrepreneur

(04:51) School Days: Lessons in Creativity and Discipline

(06:21) Infinite Games: Shaping Life's Philosophy

(08:12) Core Values and Life Principles

(10:09) Work-Life Balance and Family Insights

(12:13) Inputs vs Outputs: Daily Routines and Priorities

(13:56) First Order Issues: Problem Solving in Business

(18:46) Early Career: From LinkExchange to Zappos

(44:01) Facing the 9/11 Crisis

(44:24) Building a Profitable Company

(44:50) Creative Financing Strategies

(45:55) Customer Service Focus

(48:53) Handling High Return Rates

(53:31) Zappos' Unique Culture

(55:47) Holacracy Management System

(56:53) Maintaining Growth and Culture

(58:37) Avoiding Complacency

(01:10:21) Crucible Moments

(01:13:28) First Principles Thinking

(01:14:17) Navigating the Pandemic

(01:27:37) The Essence of Company Values

(01:28:04) Pros and Cons of Remote Work

(01:29:52) Building Company Culture in a Hybrid World

(01:33:11) Investment Strategies in Changing Markets

(01:37:37) The AI Revolution and Its Future

(02:01:56) Balancing Standardization and Customization

(02:04:44) Working Backwards vs. Forwards

(02:10:53) Defining Success: The Importance of Process