hello my burner community how are you okay I’m the last one before a break and
okay I’m the last one before a break and
okay I’m the last one before a break and then there’s some more people great
then there’s some more people great
then there’s some more people great people after that but let me just start
people after that but let me just start
people after that but let me just start with a Rumi quote right when at Burning
with a Rumi quote right when at Burning
with a Rumi quote right when at Burning Man quote Rumi 750 years ago Rumi wrote
Man quote Rumi 750 years ago Rumi wrote
Man quote Rumi 750 years ago Rumi wrote the following he said my life can be
the following he said my life can be
the following he said my life can be summed up in three phrases I was raw I
summed up in three phrases I was raw I
summed up in three phrases I was raw I became cooked and then I burned digital
became cooked and then I burned digital
became cooked and then I burned digital life has accelerated our cooking time
life has accelerated our cooking time
life has accelerated our cooking time there’s a growing number of us who feel
there’s a growing number of us who feel
there’s a growing number of us who feel like we’re like a carton of milk with a
like we’re like a carton of milk with a
like we’re like a carton of milk with a expiration date as Kat was talking about
expiration date as Kat was talking about
expiration date as Kat was talking about earlier stamped are on her wrinkled
earlier stamped are on her wrinkled
earlier stamped are on her wrinkled foreheads and many modern technologists
foreheads and many modern technologists
foreheads and many modern technologists believe that knowledge doesn’t
believe that knowledge doesn’t
believe that knowledge doesn’t accumulate with time but that it
accumulate with time but that it
accumulate with time but that it actually grows out of date last year was
actually grows out of date last year was
actually grows out of date last year was the first year that all baby boomers
the first year that all baby boomers
the first year that all baby boomers were 50 years old or older but if you go
were 50 years old or older but if you go
were 50 years old or older but if you go back to the year 1900 the life
back to the year 1900 the life
back to the year 1900 the life expectancy rate was 47 years old
expectancy rate was 47 years old
expectancy rate was 47 years old it grew to 77 years old by year 2000 and
it grew to 77 years old by year 2000 and
it grew to 77 years old by year 2000 and it might be a hundred seven years old by
it might be a hundred seven years old by
it might be a hundred seven years old by the year 2100 if that is true that at
the year 2100 if that is true that at
the year 2100 if that is true that at age 55 I am almost halfway or maybe
age 55 I am almost halfway or maybe
age 55 I am almost halfway or maybe halfway through my my life which is a
halfway through my my life which is a
halfway through my my life which is a good feeling because I can go hang out
good feeling because I can go hang out
good feeling because I can go hang out at play ranch a little bit more so
at play ranch a little bit more so
at play ranch a little bit more so what’s interesting and I think a pair
what’s interesting and I think a pair
what’s interesting and I think a pair one of the paradoxes of our time is
one of the paradoxes of our time is
one of the paradoxes of our time is there’s a group of people we call them
there’s a group of people we call them
there’s a group of people we call them the baby boomers who are living longer
the baby boomers who are living longer
the baby boomers who are living longer and healthier and in the workplace
and healthier and in the workplace
and healthier and in the workplace longer and feeling less and less
longer and feeling less and less
longer and feeling less and less relevant
relevant
relevant are we a carton of milk or a bottle of
are we a carton of milk or a bottle of
are we a carton of milk or a bottle of fine wine do we have some insight to
fine wine do we have some insight to
fine wine do we have some insight to offer you or is it time for us to get
offer you or is it time for us to get
offer you or is it time for us to get the hell off the stage if the latter I
the hell off the stage if the latter I
the hell off the stage if the latter I guess it’s time for me to get off stage
guess it’s time for me to get off stage
guess it’s time for me to get off stage but I’m an optimist
but I’m an optimist
but I’m an optimist and I truly believe that especially in
and I truly believe that especially in
and I truly believe that especially in the digital era there is something that
the digital era there is something that
the digital era there is something that the elders can offer and that’s what I’m
the elders can offer and that’s what I’m
the elders can offer and that’s what I’m going to talk about tonight
going to talk about tonight
going to talk about tonight truthfully historically wisdom has
truthfully historically wisdom has
truthfully historically wisdom has flowed downhill but this may be the
flowed downhill but this may be the
flowed downhill but this may be the first time where an intergenerational
first time where an intergenerational
first time where an intergenerational transfer of wisdom can happen such that
transfer of wisdom can happen such that
transfer of wisdom can happen such that it flows indirect both directions both
it flows indirect both directions both
it flows indirect both directions both uphill from younger to older and
uphill from younger to older and
uphill from younger to older and downhill from older to younger in a way
downhill from older to younger in a way
downhill from older to younger in a way that we can learn from each other and
that we can learn from each other and
that we can learn from each other and that’s that’s again the big topic of my
that’s that’s again the big topic of my
that’s that’s again the big topic of my my conversation with you tonight so the
my conversation with you tonight so the
my conversation with you tonight so the last few years I have experienced my own
last few years I have experienced my own
last few years I have experienced my own version of the recipe of being cooked
version of the recipe of being cooked
version of the recipe of being cooked and burned at the same time I started a
and burned at the same time I started a
and burned at the same time I started a boutique hotel company when I was 26 I
boutique hotel company when I was 26 I
boutique hotel company when I was 26 I ran it for 24 years I sold it and I
ran it for 24 years I sold it and I
ran it for 24 years I sold it and I didn’t know what the hell I was going to
didn’t know what the hell I was going to
didn’t know what the hell I was going to do next how many of you ever saw Robert
do next how many of you ever saw Robert
do next how many of you ever saw Robert DeNiro in the movie the intern last year
DeNiro in the movie the intern last year
DeNiro in the movie the intern last year I can’t even see you so but it was a
I can’t even see you so but it was a
I can’t even see you so but it was a great film came out last year he said
great film came out last year he said
great film came out last year he said the following he said musicians don’t
the following he said musicians don’t
the following he said musicians don’t retire they stop when there’s no more
retire they stop when there’s no more
retire they stop when there’s no more music left inside of them so I knew that
music left inside of them so I knew that
music left inside of them so I knew that I still had some music left inside of me
I still had some music left inside of me
I still had some music left inside of me but I just didn’t knew who I was
but I just didn’t knew who I was
but I just didn’t knew who I was supposed to share it with and so that’s
supposed to share it with and so that’s
supposed to share it with and so that’s how my experience got started the last
how my experience got started the last
how my experience got started the last three or four years because I had the
three or four years because I had the
three or four years because I had the three young founders of a company called
three young founders of a company called
three young founders of a company called Airbnb approached me Brian Chesky who’s
Airbnb approached me Brian Chesky who’s
Airbnb approached me Brian Chesky who’s the one of the co-founders and the CEO
the one of the co-founders and the CEO
the one of the co-founders and the CEO approached me in early 2013 and he said
approached me in early 2013 and he said
approached me in early 2013 and he said we want to take our small start
we want to take our small start
we want to take our small start fast-growing tech startup and turn it
fast-growing tech startup and turn it
fast-growing tech startup and turn it into a global hospitality giant and he
into a global hospitality giant and he
into a global hospitality giant and he said we’d love to have you along for the
said we’d love to have you along for the
said we’d love to have you along for the ride and have you helped us with that
ride and have you helped us with that
ride and have you helped us with that so that was fine but I had actually
so that was fine but I had actually
so that was fine but I had actually never heard of Airbnb I’m just I’m such
never heard of Airbnb I’m just I’m such
never heard of Airbnb I’m just I’m such an old-school hotel guy than in early
an old-school hotel guy than in early
an old-school hotel guy than in early 2013
2013
2013 I didn’t really know what Airbnb was and
I didn’t really know what Airbnb was and
I didn’t really know what Airbnb was and for that matter I didn’t have an uber or
for that matter I didn’t have an uber or
for that matter I didn’t have an uber or lyft app on my phone in early 2013 I
lyft app on my phone in early 2013 I
lyft app on my phone in early 2013 I really was old school so initially I was
really was old school so initially I was
really was old school so initially I was a little intimidated I’m a 52 year
a little intimidated I’m a 52 year
a little intimidated I’m a 52 year old guy at that time who’s being asked
old guy at that time who’s being asked
old guy at that time who’s being asked to join a tech company for the first
to join a tech company for the first
to join a tech company for the first time where I’ll be twice the age of the
time where I’ll be twice the age of the
time where I’ll be twice the age of the average person and my boss a really
average person and my boss a really
average person and my boss a really smart guy named Brian the CEO is 21
smart guy named Brian the CEO is 21
smart guy named Brian the CEO is 21 years younger than me what would it feel
years younger than me what would it feel
years younger than me what would it feel like to actually have him give me a
like to actually have him give me a
like to actually have him give me a performance review for the first time
performance review for the first time
performance review for the first time when he’s about the age of my son
when he’s about the age of my son
when he’s about the age of my son so my first I said yes I’ll do this I
so my first I said yes I’ll do this I
so my first I said yes I’ll do this I tried it I said you know what what can I
tried it I said you know what what can I
tried it I said you know what what can I lose my first day on the job I was
lose my first day on the job I was
lose my first day on the job I was sitting in a meeting room and someone
sitting in a meeting room and someone
sitting in a meeting room and someone asked a sort of tech existential
asked a sort of tech existential
asked a sort of tech existential question if you created a product if you
question if you created a product if you
question if you created a product if you create a feature if you should actually
create a feature if you should actually
create a feature if you should actually know if you shipped a feature and no one
know if you shipped a feature and no one
know if you shipped a feature and no one used it did you did the feature really
used it did you did the feature really
used it did you did the feature really ship this is a nexus tester question I
ship this is a nexus tester question I
ship this is a nexus tester question I never learned it in philosophy in
never learned it in philosophy in
never learned it in philosophy in college but I was bewildered and I
college but I was bewildered and I
college but I was bewildered and I realized I was in deep ship because I
realized I was in deep ship because I
realized I was in deep ship because I didn’t know what shipping a product
didn’t know what shipping a product
didn’t know what shipping a product meant I never heard the phrase I’m not a
meant I never heard the phrase I’m not a
meant I never heard the phrase I’m not a tech guy by the end of my first week I
tech guy by the end of my first week I
tech guy by the end of my first week I was dazed and confused Brian had asked
was dazed and confused Brian had asked
was dazed and confused Brian had asked me to help him and to mentor him to grow
me to help him and to mentor him to grow
me to help him and to mentor him to grow the company but after the first week I
the company but after the first week I
the company but after the first week I felt more like an intern than a mentor
felt more like an intern than a mentor
felt more like an intern than a mentor could I simultaneously be a mentor and
could I simultaneously be a mentor and
could I simultaneously be a mentor and an intern yes thank you
an intern yes thank you
an intern yes thank you that’s what I’m going to talk about and
that’s what I’m going to talk about and
that’s what I’m going to talk about and that’s really you know for me it’s been
that’s really you know for me it’s been
that’s really you know for me it’s been lucky it’s been a great three and a half
lucky it’s been a great three and a half
lucky it’s been a great three and a half years I’ve been surrounded by some of
years I’ve been surrounded by some of
years I’ve been surrounded by some of the most inspiring people in Silicon
the most inspiring people in Silicon
the most inspiring people in Silicon Valley and have learned a lot and that’s
Valley and have learned a lot and that’s
Valley and have learned a lot and that’s what I’m going to share with you I mean
what I’m going to share with you I mean
what I’m going to share with you I mean I say there are three things that I’ve
I say there are three things that I’ve
I say there are three things that I’ve learned that I’m going to share now that
learned that I’m going to share now that
learned that I’m going to share now that have allowed me to share to the young
have allowed me to share to the young
have allowed me to share to the young and to actually receive it in return
and to actually receive it in return
and to actually receive it in return because I’ve learned just as much as
because I’ve learned just as much as
because I’ve learned just as much as I’ve given so let me tell you what those
I’ve given so let me tell you what those
I’ve given so let me tell you what those three things are the first one is I’ll
three things are the first one is I’ll
three things are the first one is I’ll sum it up by saying I’ll give you a
sum it up by saying I’ll give you a
sum it up by saying I’ll give you a little
little
little emotional intelligence if you give me a
emotional intelligence if you give me a
emotional intelligence if you give me a little bit of digital intelligence now
little bit of digital intelligence now
little bit of digital intelligence now as we all know here on the playa we
as we all know here on the playa we
as we all know here on the playa we don’t spend a lot of time with our
don’t spend a lot of time with our
don’t spend a lot of time with our iPhones or our galaxies or whatever our
iPhones or our galaxies or whatever our
iPhones or our galaxies or whatever our smartphone is but there are a lot of us
smartphone is but there are a lot of us
smartphone is but there are a lot of us and a lot of us who are younger who
and a lot of us who are younger who
and a lot of us who are younger who actually know the face of our phone
actually know the face of our phone
actually know the face of our phone maybe better than the face of the person
maybe better than the face of the person
maybe better than the face of the person sitting next to us truthfully there’s
sitting next to us truthfully there’s
sitting next to us truthfully there’s people who actually understand that
people who actually understand that
people who actually understand that gadget and the screen better than the
gadget and the screen better than the
gadget and the screen better than the eyes of the person who they work with
eyes of the person who they work with
eyes of the person who they work with day to day I’m not saying that young
day to day I’m not saying that young
day to day I’m not saying that young people don’t understand emotions they do
people don’t understand emotions they do
people don’t understand emotions they do and we do and in the digital life we
and we do and in the digital life we
and we do and in the digital life we have emojis which is one way to
have emojis which is one way to
have emojis which is one way to understand emotions we also have a term
understand emotions we also have a term
understand emotions we also have a term being an emo I mean back in my
being an emo I mean back in my
being an emo I mean back in my school-yard days I didn’t know what an
school-yard days I didn’t know what an
school-yard days I didn’t know what an emo was but you know it’s a it’s a
emo was but you know it’s a it’s a
emo was but you know it’s a it’s a phrase that’s relevant in the in the
phrase that’s relevant in the in the
phrase that’s relevant in the in the modern day but the bottom line is emojis
modern day but the bottom line is emojis
modern day but the bottom line is emojis are not the same as having interpersonal
are not the same as having interpersonal
are not the same as having interpersonal face-to-face fluency which is what we
face-to-face fluency which is what we
face-to-face fluency which is what we experience here at Burning Man and I
experience here at Burning Man and I
experience here at Burning Man and I realized pretty early in my my time the
realized pretty early in my my time the
realized pretty early in my my time the first few weeks at Burning Man at Airbnb
first few weeks at Burning Man at Airbnb
first few weeks at Burning Man at Airbnb that I was surrounded by a bunch of
that I was surrounded by a bunch of
that I was surrounded by a bunch of people who are intensely smart and
people who are intensely smart and
people who are intensely smart and digitally savvy who might not realize
digitally savvy who might not realize
digitally savvy who might not realize that being emo savvy or emotionally
that being emo savvy or emotionally
that being emo savvy or emotionally savvy was what would make them a great
savvy was what would make them a great
savvy was what would make them a great leader my friend Nancy Giordano I’m
leader my friend Nancy Giordano I’m
leader my friend Nancy Giordano I’m going to actually pull out the one thing
going to actually pull out the one thing
going to actually pull out the one thing I’m going to read today is a quote from
I’m going to read today is a quote from
I’m going to read today is a quote from my friend Nancy Giordano who’s a
my friend Nancy Giordano who’s a
my friend Nancy Giordano who’s a futurist because I think her quote
futurist because I think her quote
futurist because I think her quote totally captured this she said with
totally captured this she said with
totally captured this she said with little training we expect young digital
little training we expect young digital
little training we expect young digital leaders to miraculously embody the
leaders to miraculously embody the
leaders to miraculously embody the relationship wisdoms we elders had
relationship wisdoms we elders had
relationship wisdoms we elders had decades to learn so what I became
decades to learn so what I became
decades to learn so what I became committed to in those first few weeks is
committed to in those first few weeks is
committed to in those first few weeks is the sense of like I want to help people
the sense of like I want to help people
the sense of like I want to help people understand how important emotional
understand how important emotional
understand how important emotional intelligences is to being a great leader
intelligences is to being a great leader
intelligences is to being a great leader so even though it wasn’t part of my job
so even though it wasn’t part of my job
so even though it wasn’t part of my job when Brian asked me to join we I created
when Brian asked me to join we I created
when Brian asked me to join we I created a Learning and Development function in
a Learning and Development function in
a Learning and Development function in the company so that twenty eight year
the company so that twenty eight year
the company so that twenty eight year olds could help to lead twenty four year
olds could help to lead twenty four year
olds could help to lead twenty four year olds and most importantly part of the
olds and most importantly part of the
olds and most importantly part of the themes of this were how do you help to
themes of this were how do you help to
themes of this were how do you help to actually create an alliance with someone
actually create an alliance with someone
actually create an alliance with someone who you’re in conflict with or how do
who you’re in conflict with or how do
who you’re in conflict with or how do you walk into a meeting room about
you walk into a meeting room about
you walk into a meeting room about delete a meeting and read the emotions
delete a meeting and read the emotions
delete a meeting and read the emotions of the room before you actually have
of the room before you actually have
of the room before you actually have started talking so back in that in that
started talking so back in that in that
started talking so back in that in that film of last year the intern the young
film of last year the intern the young
film of last year the intern the young CEO Anne Hathaway says that she doesn’t
CEO Anne Hathaway says that she doesn’t
CEO Anne Hathaway says that she doesn’t want Robert De Niro to be her personal
want Robert De Niro to be her personal
want Robert De Niro to be her personal intern because he was a little too
intern because he was a little too
intern because he was a little too observant being too observant is what
observant being too observant is what
observant being too observant is what helped me to succeed at Airbnb it’s how
helped me to succeed at Airbnb it’s how
helped me to succeed at Airbnb it’s how I was able to become a close friend with
I was able to become a close friend with
I was able to become a close friend with people and to create an emotional bank
people and to create an emotional bank
people and to create an emotional bank account with those that I worked with so
account with those that I worked with so
account with those that I worked with so I think no matter what kind of world you
I think no matter what kind of world you
I think no matter what kind of world you live in whether you’re in the b2b world
live in whether you’re in the b2b world
live in whether you’re in the b2b world b2c world C the C world a to Z world
b2c world C the C world a to Z world
b2c world C the C world a to Z world business and life is H to H human to
business and life is H to H human to
business and life is H to H human to human and a lot of us forget that in the
human and a lot of us forget that in the
human and a lot of us forget that in the tech world we think somehow that there
tech world we think somehow that there
tech world we think somehow that there are other qualities that are actually
are other qualities that are actually
are other qualities that are actually going to allow us to be successful
going to allow us to be successful
going to allow us to be successful leaders that don’t speak to EQ or
leaders that don’t speak to EQ or
leaders that don’t speak to EQ or emotional intelligence but the truth is
emotional intelligence but the truth is
emotional intelligence but the truth is that the more the more responsibility
that the more the more responsibility
that the more the more responsibility you have in an organization the more EQ
you have in an organization the more EQ
you have in an organization the more EQ is important emotional intelligence
is important emotional intelligence
is important emotional intelligence author Daniel Goleman has shown that
author Daniel Goleman has shown that
author Daniel Goleman has shown that two-thirds of the success of leaders has
two-thirds of the success of leaders has
two-thirds of the success of leaders has to do with their EQ and only 1/3 has to
to do with their EQ and only 1/3 has to
to do with their EQ and only 1/3 has to do with the combination of IQ or level
do with the combination of IQ or level
do with the combination of IQ or level of experience in the job my second
of experience in the job my second
of experience in the job my second observation of the three was that
observation of the three was that
observation of the three was that learning never ends William Yates once
learning never ends William Yates once
learning never ends William Yates once wrote education is not filling a pail
wrote education is not filling a pail
wrote education is not filling a pail it’s lighting a fire so I was able to
it’s lighting a fire so I was able to
it’s lighting a fire so I was able to light a fire at Airbnb by being
light a fire at Airbnb by being
light a fire at Airbnb by being catalytically curious
catalytically curious
catalytically curious I didn’t know any better the truth is
I didn’t know any better the truth is
I didn’t know any better the truth is that I was an old fart in a new company
that I was an old fart in a new company
that I was an old fart in a new company and I’d never been in a tech company
and I’d never been in a tech company
and I’d never been in a tech company before as such I didn’t have to be the
before as such I didn’t have to be the
before as such I didn’t have to be the expert yes there was some subject I was
expert yes there was some subject I was
expert yes there was some subject I was the expert on but generally speaking I
the expert on but generally speaking I
the expert on but generally speaking I was an intern a lot of the time so I was
was an intern a lot of the time so I was
was an intern a lot of the time so I was able to have a beginner’s mind and if
able to have a beginner’s mind and if
able to have a beginner’s mind and if you have a beginner’s mind it means you
you have a beginner’s mind it means you
you have a beginner’s mind it means you don’t have to live the experts the
don’t have to live the experts the
don’t have to live the experts the habits of an expert so it meant that I
habits of an expert so it meant that I
habits of an expert so it meant that I can actually act like a little kid and
can actually act like a little kid and
can actually act like a little kid and ask a lot of what if or why questions
ask a lot of what if or why questions
ask a lot of what if or why questions whereas most senior leaders get obsessed
whereas most senior leaders get obsessed
whereas most senior leaders get obsessed with the what and the how of business I
with the what and the how of business I
with the what and the how of business I learned pretty quickly that it’s better
learned pretty quickly that it’s better
learned pretty quickly that it’s better to intern publicly and mentor privately
to intern publicly and mentor privately
to intern publicly and mentor privately because nobody wants to be actually
because nobody wants to be actually
because nobody wants to be actually criticized in the meeting by someone as
criticized in the meeting by someone as
criticized in the meeting by someone as old as their dad uh-huh I also I also
old as their dad uh-huh I also I also
old as their dad uh-huh I also I also learned that Peter Drucker who wrote
learned that Peter Drucker who wrote
learned that Peter Drucker who wrote who’s a famous management theorist wrote
who’s a famous management theorist wrote
who’s a famous management theorist wrote 20 years ago he said the leaders of the
20 years ago he said the leaders of the
20 years ago he said the leaders of the future I’m sorry he said the leaders of
future I’m sorry he said the leaders of
future I’m sorry he said the leaders of the past knew how to tell the leaders of
the past knew how to tell the leaders of
the past knew how to tell the leaders of the future will know how to ask in a
the future will know how to ask in a
the future will know how to ask in a constantly changing world questions may
constantly changing world questions may
constantly changing world questions may Trump answers excuse the use of the word
Trump answers excuse the use of the word
Trump answers excuse the use of the word Trump in that last sentence so the
Trump in that last sentence so the
Trump in that last sentence so the traditional elders had the wise answers
traditional elders had the wise answers
traditional elders had the wise answers the modern elders have the catalytic
the modern elders have the catalytic
the modern elders have the catalytic questions and incidentally Peter Drucker
questions and incidentally Peter Drucker
questions and incidentally Peter Drucker lived to the age of 95 and he translated
lived to the age of 95 and he translated
lived to the age of 95 and he translated his curiosity in life such that every
his curiosity in life such that every
his curiosity in life such that every two years in those later years he would
two years in those later years he would
two years in those later years he would study a subject that had nothing to do
study a subject that had nothing to do
study a subject that had nothing to do with his work whether it was Japanese
with his work whether it was Japanese
with his work whether it was Japanese flower arranging or medieval war
flower arranging or medieval war
flower arranging or medieval war strategies so I would ask you as an
strategies so I would ask you as an
strategies so I would ask you as an invitation for you as to ask yourself
invitation for you as to ask yourself
invitation for you as to ask yourself how can you be more curious what’s a
how can you be more curious what’s a
how can you be more curious what’s a subject unrelated to your
subject unrelated to your
subject unrelated to your work in which you can become one of the
work in which you can become one of the
work in which you can become one of the world’s leading experts my third lesson
world’s leading experts my third lesson
world’s leading experts my third lesson or revelation from being a modern elder
or revelation from being a modern elder
or revelation from being a modern elder amongst people who are half my age is
amongst people who are half my age is
amongst people who are half my age is that it’s not always about know how it
that it’s not always about know how it
that it’s not always about know how it can also about be about know who Google
can also about be about know who Google
can also about be about know who Google maybe the best search engine in the
maybe the best search engine in the
maybe the best search engine in the world but it doesn’t understand nuance
world but it doesn’t understand nuance
world but it doesn’t understand nuance like a finely attuned human mind or
like a finely attuned human mind or
like a finely attuned human mind or heart yes you can go out and search for
heart yes you can go out and search for
heart yes you can go out and search for the how but sometimes it’s the who who’s
the how but sometimes it’s the who who’s
the how but sometimes it’s the who who’s going to give you the revelation that
going to give you the revelation that
going to give you the revelation that you were looking for I’m lucky enough to
you were looking for I’m lucky enough to
you were looking for I’m lucky enough to be a very curious soul they called me
be a very curious soul they called me
be a very curious soul they called me curious white boy in my inner-city high
curious white boy in my inner-city high
curious white boy in my inner-city high school in LA and I have always been
school in LA and I have always been
school in LA and I have always been interested in people and things and I’ve
interested in people and things and I’ve
interested in people and things and I’ve read a lot of books and met a lot of
read a lot of books and met a lot of
read a lot of books and met a lot of people which means I guess that I’m
people which means I guess that I’m
people which means I guess that I’m well-read and well well-connected what I
well-read and well well-connected what I
well-read and well well-connected what I didn’t expect in those first few months
didn’t expect in those first few months
didn’t expect in those first few months at Airbnb is that the word would get out
at Airbnb is that the word would get out
at Airbnb is that the word would get out that chip is there he knows a lot of
that chip is there he knows a lot of
that chip is there he knows a lot of things he has a lot of like a network of
things he has a lot of like a network of
things he has a lot of like a network of knowledge and people and so I ended up
knowledge and people and so I ended up
knowledge and people and so I ended up becoming this person that everybody
becoming this person that everybody
becoming this person that everybody would not everybody but a lot of people
would not everybody but a lot of people
would not everybody but a lot of people would come and talk to and say I want to
would come and talk to and say I want to
would come and talk to and say I want to run an idea by you I want you to tell me
run an idea by you I want you to tell me
run an idea by you I want you to tell me if you know someone who might know about
if you know someone who might know about
if you know someone who might know about this now I guess I’d be give me the ask
this now I guess I’d be give me the ask
this now I guess I’d be give me the ask me guy in the company now I guess if you
me guy in the company now I guess if you
me guy in the company now I guess if you looked at all of the different people
looked at all of the different people
looked at all of the different people who came to me like most of them are not
who came to me like most of them are not
who came to me like most of them are not people who directly reported me to be or
people who directly reported me to be or
people who directly reported me to be or I worked with very closely I always said
I worked with very closely I always said
I worked with very closely I always said yes to them because I thought I was
yes to them because I thought I was
yes to them because I thought I was going to learn something from them and
going to learn something from them and
going to learn something from them and they’d learned something from me
they’d learned something from me
they’d learned something from me hopefully as well but if you look at all
hopefully as well but if you look at all
hopefully as well but if you look at all of those people that I got to meet
of those people that I got to meet
of those people that I got to meet especially in the first year or two in
especially in the first year or two in
especially in the first year or two in the company I had created a web of
the company I had created a web of
the company I had created a web of relationships and knowledge that allowed
relationships and knowledge that allowed
relationships and knowledge that allowed me to be a strategic advisor to the
me to be a strategic advisor to the
me to be a strategic advisor to the founders such that I really understand
founders such that I really understand
founders such that I really understand the pulse of what was happening in the
the pulse of what was happening in the
the pulse of what was happening in the company it was wasn’t part of my job
company it was wasn’t part of my job
company it was wasn’t part of my job description
description
description but because people knew that I knew
but because people knew that I knew
but because people knew that I knew things and I’d been around for a while
things and I’d been around for a while
things and I’d been around for a while they wanted to tap into that and that’s
they wanted to tap into that and that’s
they wanted to tap into that and that’s important and the truth is that modern
important and the truth is that modern
important and the truth is that modern organizations tend to be so
organizations tend to be so
organizations tend to be so of speed and transactional Nate a
of speed and transactional Nate a
of speed and transactional Nate a transactional nature we don’t help our
transactional nature we don’t help our
transactional nature we don’t help our young leaders to cultivate things like
young leaders to cultivate things like
young leaders to cultivate things like emotional intelligence or curiosity or
emotional intelligence or curiosity or
emotional intelligence or curiosity or relationship building and so that’s at
relationship building and so that’s at
relationship building and so that’s at the other day this has been for me a
the other day this has been for me a
the other day this has been for me a humbling and exhilarating journey I
humbling and exhilarating journey I
humbling and exhilarating journey I thought I would run my company the name
thought I would run my company the name
thought I would run my company the name of my company that I started 20 or 30
of my company that I started 20 or 30
of my company that I started 20 or 30 years ago almost was called joie de
years ago almost was called joie de
years ago almost was called joie de vivre joy of life boutique hotel company
vivre joy of life boutique hotel company
vivre joy of life boutique hotel company I thought I’d run it for the rest of my
I thought I’d run it for the rest of my
I thought I’d run it for the rest of my life and then at age 50 I was burned out
life and then at age 50 I was burned out
life and then at age 50 I was burned out and I just needed to get out of there
and I just needed to get out of there
and I just needed to get out of there and I sold it I had no idea what would
and I sold it I had no idea what would
and I sold it I had no idea what would happen next
happen next
happen next and then of course the Airbnb founders
and then of course the Airbnb founders
and then of course the Airbnb founders came knocking on my door and I was able
came knocking on my door and I was able
came knocking on my door and I was able to join them and that has been a really
to join them and that has been a really
to join them and that has been a really fortunate journey for me um because I’ve
fortunate journey for me um because I’ve
fortunate journey for me um because I’ve learned from them just like they’ve
learned from them just like they’ve
learned from them just like they’ve learned from me and and the bottom line
learned from me and and the bottom line
learned from me and and the bottom line is I believe that boomers and
is I believe that boomers and
is I believe that boomers and Millennials have a lot to learn from
Millennials have a lot to learn from
Millennials have a lot to learn from each other and I think all generations
each other and I think all generations
each other and I think all generations do it’s not just the boomers and the
do it’s not just the boomers and the
do it’s not just the boomers and the Millennials it’s Gen Xers and everybody
Millennials it’s Gen Xers and everybody
Millennials it’s Gen Xers and everybody else we have a lot to learn from each
else we have a lot to learn from each
else we have a lot to learn from each other
other
other those of us who are older the older half
those of us who are older the older half
those of us who are older the older half of the population are feeling less and
of the population are feeling less and
of the population are feeling less and less relevant the younger half of the
less relevant the younger half of the
less relevant the younger half of the population are seeing power come to them
population are seeing power come to them
population are seeing power come to them faster than any young people have ever
faster than any young people have ever
faster than any young people have ever seen in the history of mankind partly
seen in the history of mankind partly
seen in the history of mankind partly because you people who are 40 and
because you people who are 40 and
because you people who are 40 and younger have a facility with the digital
younger have a facility with the digital
younger have a facility with the digital that those of us are older don’t
that those of us are older don’t
that those of us are older don’t generally generally these are
generally generally these are
generally generally these are generalizations don’t have so what I’m
generalizations don’t have so what I’m
generalizations don’t have so what I’m pondering is how can we create a
pondering is how can we create a
pondering is how can we create a relationship I like to call it the
relationship I like to call it the
relationship I like to call it the modern elder relationship
modern elder relationship
modern elder relationship how could I be both potentially someone
how could I be both potentially someone
how could I be both potentially someone who’s serving you but also learning from
who’s serving you but also learning from
who’s serving you but also learning from you how can I be a mentor and an intern
you how can I be a mentor and an intern
you how can I be a mentor and an intern how can I relish being both a student
how can I relish being both a student
how can I relish being both a student and a sage at the same time now this
and a sage at the same time now this
and a sage at the same time now this idea of intergenerational transfer
idea of intergenerational transfer
idea of intergenerational transfer wisdom is particularly relevant to
wisdom is particularly relevant to
wisdom is particularly relevant to boomers we’re going to live 10 years
boomers we’re going to live 10 years
boomers we’re going to live 10 years longer than our parents but power in a
longer than our parents but power in a
longer than our parents but power in a digital society is moving 10 years
digital society is moving 10 years
digital society is moving 10 years younger so do the math if we’re going to
younger so do the math if we’re going to
younger so do the math if we’re going to live 10 years longer and powers moving
live 10 years longer and powers moving
live 10 years longer and powers moving 10 years younger we have 20 years of
10 years younger we have 20 years of
10 years younger we have 20 years of additional obsolescence and irrelevance
additional obsolescence and irrelevance
additional obsolescence and irrelevance e which can create some serious
e which can create some serious
e which can create some serious boomeranged that’s why we need to invest
boomeranged that’s why we need to invest
boomeranged that’s why we need to invest in the idea of modern elders there are
in the idea of modern elders there are
in the idea of modern elders there are three times as many people in the
three times as many people in the
three times as many people in the workplace today over the age of 70 than
workplace today over the age of 70 than
workplace today over the age of 70 than there were a generation ago and that
there were a generation ago and that
there were a generation ago and that number is only going to grow an
number is only going to grow an
number is only going to grow an interesting thing is that when you
interesting thing is that when you
interesting thing is that when you research has shown that when elders
research has shown that when elders
research has shown that when elders actually people over 50 have a positive
actually people over 50 have a positive
actually people over 50 have a positive perspective on their aging they happen
perspective on their aging they happen
perspective on their aging they happen to live on average seven and a half
to live on average seven and a half
to live on average seven and a half years longer which is a larger increase
years longer which is a larger increase
years longer which is a larger increase in lifespan than those who actually
in lifespan than those who actually
in lifespan than those who actually start exercising or stop smoking so if
start exercising or stop smoking so if
start exercising or stop smoking so if you have a positive perspective on aging
you have a positive perspective on aging
you have a positive perspective on aging you live longer which is beautiful so
you live longer which is beautiful so
you live longer which is beautiful so this is not just a problem to be solved
this is not just a problem to be solved
this is not just a problem to be solved it’s an opportunity for society to take
it’s an opportunity for society to take
it’s an opportunity for society to take advantage of people who might have
advantage of people who might have
advantage of people who might have actually been considered past their
actually been considered past their
actually been considered past their expiration date there’s a beautiful
expiration date there’s a beautiful
expiration date there’s a beautiful African proverb that I want to quote you
African proverb that I want to quote you
African proverb that I want to quote you now and it is when an elder dies it’s
now and it is when an elder dies it’s
now and it is when an elder dies it’s like a library has burned down
like a library has burned down
like a library has burned down unfortunately in the digital era
unfortunately in the digital era
unfortunately in the digital era libraries and elders aren’t that popular
libraries and elders aren’t that popular
libraries and elders aren’t that popular anymore but wisdom never grows old and
anymore but wisdom never grows old and
anymore but wisdom never grows old and wisdom is about pattern recognition and
wisdom is about pattern recognition and
wisdom is about pattern recognition and the longer you’ve been on this planet
the longer you’ve been on this planet
the longer you’ve been on this planet the more patterns you’ve likely seen
the more patterns you’ve likely seen
the more patterns you’ve likely seen elders have always been there to support
elders have always been there to support
elders have always been there to support the growth of the young but for the
the growth of the young but for the
the growth of the young but for the first time in our history on this earth
first time in our history on this earth
first time in our history on this earth as mankind
as mankind
as mankind that wisdom can move in both directions
that wisdom can move in both directions
that wisdom can move in both directions there can be a symbiotic sharing of
there can be a symbiotic sharing of
there can be a symbiotic sharing of wisdom from young to old and old a young
wisdom from young to old and old a young
wisdom from young to old and old a young in the gifting economy that is the
in the gifting economy that is the
in the gifting economy that is the future I believe that modern elders need
future I believe that modern elders need
future I believe that modern elders need to rewrite roomies three phrases or
to rewrite roomies three phrases or
to rewrite roomies three phrases or phases of life maybe it should be
phases of life maybe it should be
phases of life maybe it should be I was raw I became cooked I burned and
I was raw I became cooked I burned and
I was raw I became cooked I burned and then I became raw again thank you so
then I became raw again thank you so
then I became raw again thank you so much enjoy your burn and I wish you all
much enjoy your burn and I wish you all
much enjoy your burn and I wish you all the best
the best
the best [Music]
”
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