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Whenever I find myself being interviewed, I usually get asked this question (in one form or another) at least once: how has being young affected your ability in business? I find myself responding with pretty much the same answer every time: age is not about the number, but rather about the way you think. For me, being 21 (and having started my company at the age of 19) gives people the quick "novelty" giggle factor. After they get over that, it's all back to business. In Silicon Valley, this is even less of a novelty. At the age of 21 (and I'm sorry to everyone that this offends), I am pretty much "old." There are entrepreneurs now gaining significant traction, raising money, and building amazing companies – all before they even turn 18. So beyond the giggle factor, what else is there behind age (or the lack thereof)? For me, it's a combination of five things: the license to learn, the never-ending source (or what seems to be) of passion and energy, a sense of wonder, not knowing the rules (or the "way" to do things), and finally, seeing the best in everyone. License to learn When you're young, you're perhaps in the most "benign" state. You're perceived to lack an alternative agenda, you're curious, and you're just a big sponge. I believe we should be lifelong learners. But when we're young, we seem to be at the prime capacity to do so. Because we're told we lack experience and knowledge, we begin our trek through school, internships, and extra-curricular activities to learn as much as we can. What I'm specifically addressing here is the license to learn from other people. Many people forget that the simple statement "I'd love to learn from you" opens more doors than anything you can imagine. It's the ultimate statement of humility, respect, understanding, and curiosity. Through (numerical) aging, many of us forget to ask to learn. Maybe it's because we think we know enough, or that we may be rejected, or that it sounds needy. You have to remember one thing about the other side. If this person is indeed "successful" in their own right, chances are this person is an amazing teacher. It's what got them to where they are. Teachers are patient, excellent at explaining things, and ultimately willing to share. If this person is unwilling to share and selfish even though you have genuine intentions, chances are that your business relationship may be based on a foundation that you may be less fond of as you both progress in your career. Now of course, there are limits. And there's a reason why consultants exist and make so much money. But remember that those who are learning right now and growing around you have to have teachers willing to teach. And those teachers exist. You just need to find the right ones. Both these things (passion and energy) are contagious. Passion is exhibited through perseverance among other things, and energy can be exhibited through a wide-smile. Simple things. I've met CEOs well into their 50s who exhibit this. They are often described by their employees as “eccentric, ” "young at heart, " even possessing an "infectious personality." These are people you just love being around. These people seem to be bouncing off the walls in any setting, caffeine-injected or not. They're able to make the most stubborn or stale people light up. They ultimately lead. This is because the infectious nature of passion and energy brings people around this individual. They want to know why this person is so passionate. They feel like they can be a part of something great. As youth this is natural before the energy is beat out of us. Remember the 10, 000 times you were overly enthusiastic but quickly discovered the reality? These people are amazing at seeing the overly optimistic side of things and may not even accept reality. They reject it. Of course, this one-sided approach can sometimes be dangerous. That's why you'll find that most of the successful types that hold these characteristics have a very good yin-yang dynamic within their teams. Search hard and you'll find the realist, the pragmatist. They're there for good reason, and were most likely picked by this person. A Sense of Wonder When was the last time you walked out of a subway station somewhere in the world and had an almost "woosh"-ing sensation come over your head of both wonder and awe? I remember I had this feeling the first time I visited New York. The first time I visit any city, really. I strive for this feeling in every setting in life. The more times you feel wondrous, the more times you appreciate the world and what it can provide you. Youth seek adventure and wonder. Every new experience (which may be old and tired to the elder) is poignant, memorable, and lucid. This is what helps us remember and learn as quickly as a child. New memories are imprinted with nothing to frame it with. We are a blank canvas. You can stay wondrous by perceiving things in a different way. Look for the details. Look up once in a while. See the stars. Ask "why?" Talk to people you would normally just pass by (start with your taxi driver). Every time you add a new layer of perception into the same reality, things begin to unravel themselves. Not Knowing the Rules I like to share the story of the inexperienced poker player ruining a game full of serious poker players. Yes, in many (realistic) situations this inexperienced poker player may fail. Even be ridiculed. But in the off chance that this person is able to stay long enough, the experienced poker players may begin to feel extremely confused and frustrated. There are a series of predictable moves that come with the hand that you're dealt. Any time these moves aren't played, your bluff becomes less and less predictable. There comes a point where no one knows if you're a complete idiot, or a really, really, really, good poker player. These moments exist in business. They are all around us in Silicon Valley; not by intention, but by nature. The younger entrepreneurs that set out with ignorance sometimes accomplish what they want to accomplish simply because no one told them how they could fail, or they refused to believe whatever people told them. Those rules and those pathways to failure may not even exist anymore. They may have existed in the past, and those who were more "experienced" may have taken them as friction points and reasons to not start. But those who never had any idea of what was possible or impossible make the rules themselves. They write their future through these unpredictable moves. As we get older, we play mind games on ourselves and build impossible mental barriers. But by the nature of the technology environment evolving so rapidly, every minute of every day brings new capabilities that can overcome these norms. The next time you say "nah, that isn't possible, " ask yourself again. You may be surprised by the answer. Seeing the Best in Everyone Call it na?veté but I believe that everyone has good side that is either already out there, or buried deep inside by various experiences that crafted their upbringing. But in the context of business, I speak of the ability for young entrepreneurs and leaders to believe in people and their capacity for doing good, seeing things through, and doing right for others. I see this as a function of how many others have done the same for them. Of course there are parasites. There are those who are up to no good. Sometimes they slip through. But a healthy dose of social validation can usually do the trick. Ultimately those who have potential and ambition see the opportunity to work with someone who only wants to bring out the best in them. Someone who acknowledges that it is natural to have weaknesses and areas that need improvement. Growing up is always about learning how to best accentuate those strengths and to make sure that there are people around you whose strengths support your weaknesses. I've found that those who present themselves as untrustworthy – preying on weaknesses and refusing to see the best as to maintain a level of suspicion – are those who ultimately get taken advantage of. That's because people are naturally defensive in these situations. When the people around you are thinking about how to defend themselves, there is no ability to unlock their potential. Age is Just a Number I believe that age is just a number. Being young is a frame of mind. I really hope that I'll look back on this post many years from now to see that I've maintained my youth, even if the years are starting to show in another way. Stay young,
不管什么时候被采访，我都会被问及这样一个问题，而且不止一次：年轻的资本怎样影响你在商业的能力？ 我发现自己每次回答这一问题的答案都一样：年龄不是关乎数字的，而是你思考的方式。 对于我，只有21岁（在19岁时创建自己的公司）给了人们感到惊奇的因素。当他们不再想那些，一切都回归了商业上。在硅谷，这甚至不能说是惊奇的事。作为21岁的人，我已经相当老了。有的企业家正在引领新的巨变，融资，创办公司——所有人都是18岁之前。 除了让人咯咯笑的因素，年龄背后还有什么呢？对于我，这是5种因素的合成：学习的资格，无限的热情活力资源，好奇感，对规则的无知，最后是，发现每个人最好的一面。 学习的资格 当你年轻时，你可能是最亲切的状态。你应该是没有各种议程，你好奇并且如同海绵一般。我相信我们应该终生学习。但是当我们年轻时，我们似乎在学习的顶峰状态。因为我们被告知缺乏经验和知识。我们通过学校，实习，和课外活动尽可能的开始艰难的学习生涯。 在这我特别强调的是学习他人的特权。许多人忘了那句简单的陈述“我想向你学习”实际上比任何能想象的事更能开始学习之门。这是谦卑、尊重、理解和好奇心的最终声明。通过(数值上的)衰老 我们中的许多人忘了去学习。也许这是因为我们认为我们知道的足够了 我们可能被拒绝 或者让它听起来难以切齿。 关于另一种状态你必须记住一件事。如果这个人的确在自己权利上是成功的，很有可能这个人是名令人惊讶的教师。那是促使他们达到这种状态的事物。老师们是耐心的，解释能力极强，并且愿意分享知识。尽管你有真正的目的但是如果你不愿意分享，很自私，很有可能发生的事尽管你的商业生涯在进步，但是你的商业人际关系却是不受人欢迎的。 现在当然，也有限制。这是为什么需要咨询的存在并且赚那么多钱。但是请记住那些在你身边正在学习成长的人一定有老师愿意教他们。这些老师存在。你只需要找个适合的。 永不枯竭的热情和精力来源 这两件事情(激情和能量)是可传染的。激情是通过在其他方面通过坚持表现出来和能量是可以通过乐观表现。这很简单。我遇到过50多岁的首席执行官们表现出这些。他们常常被他们的员工描述为“古怪” “年轻的心 甚至拥有一个“传染性的个性。这些都是你喜欢在一起的人。这些人似乎兴奋得蹦上墙在任何设置 像是注射咖啡因亦或不是。他们能够将最顽固的或陈旧的人点亮。他们最终会起领导作用。 这是因为这种热情充满活力传染的性格使人们围绕在他身边。人们想知道他为什么这么热情。人们感觉可以跟他一起创造伟大的事。 作为年轻人这是精力在我们身上消失之前的自然状态。记得你过度热情1000多次却最后发现事实吗？这些人在看待过度乐观的事情上有惊人的能力，可能不会接受事实，他们拒绝这些事。 当然，这单方面的方法有时会是危险的。这就是为什么你会发现在成功的团队里大部分有阴阳两面来维持住这种性格。努力寻找，你会发现现实主义者，实用主义者。他们有存在的理由，并且最有可能被这些人选择。 求知欲 上一次你在世界上某地走出地铁突然脑海中飞快划过一股好奇敬畏的感觉是什么时候？我记得我第一次有这种感觉是在游玩纽约时。我第一次参观某个城市，真的！我争取在生活中每个方面产生这种感觉。你越多的感到好奇，你约会感激这个世界以及它给你带来的东西。 年轻人追求冒险和好奇。每次新的经历都是心酸，值得纪念并且清晰的。这就是帮助我们像个孩子一样快速记忆和学习的东西。新的记忆因为没有什么参考而给人印象深刻。我们就像一块空白的帆布。 你可以通过以一种不同方式认知事物保持好奇。寻找细节。不止一次的看。看星星，问一句“为什么?" 跟你通常擦身而过的人交谈。每次在相同的事实上添加一层想象，事情就是自我展开。 对规则的无知 我喜欢分享那个扑克新手与一群高手打牌毁掉这个游戏的故事。的确，在许多情况下这个没有经验的扑克新手是失败的。甚至被嘲笑。但是极小可能下，这个新手会待很长时间，有经验的玩家可能会感到困惑和受挫。有一系列可预测的举动会伴随你处理的这手艺。每次行动效果不佳，你的咋呼可能越来越难预测。 然后会到达一个程度，没有人知道你究竟是彻底笨蛋，或者真是个很棒的扑克玩家。 这些情况也存在商场中。他们在硅谷中我们身边，不是因为目的而存在而是出于自然。年轻的企业家有时因为无知而行动却完成了他们想要完成的事只是因为没人告诉他们会怎样失败，或者他们拒绝相信其他人告诉他们的事。这些导致失败的规则和路径甚至不存在。他们过去存在过，有经验的人可能把他们当成摩擦点和不去行动的原因。但是却是那些不知道什么是可能或不可能的人自己创造了规则。他们通过不可预测的行动书写了自己的未来。 当我们逐渐长大，我们在脑海中纠结，自己设置了不可能的障碍。但是随着技术环境变化之快，每一分钟每一秒都会带来战胜常规的新能力。下次你说：没有，那不可能”时，再问自己一次。你可能会被答案所惊讶到。 看到每个人最好的一面 这叫纯真，但是我相信每个人都有好的一面，或者已经显现出来或者被成长中的经历所掩埋。但是在商业背景下，我说的是年轻企业家和领袖们相信他人的能力和看到他们做好事，能看穿事情或者帮助他人的能力。我把这看作一种多少人为他们自己做相同的事的功能。 当然，也有寄生虫们。这些人不求上进。有时悄悄溜走。但是一剂健康的社会校验能够帮助改掉这一毛病。 最终那些有潜力和壮志的人才能发现机会与那些只想为自己做到最好的人工作。那些认为每个人都有弱点是自然的事的人其实需要提高。成长总是关于学着怎样最好突出这些有能力的人和保证有人有能力来支撑你的不足的。 我发现这些说自己不值得相信-消除弱点拒绝看到最好来报出一线怀疑的人——是那些最后被人利用的。这是因为这些人天生在这些环境下自卫。当你身边的人开始考虑怎样保卫自己时，其实没有能力开启潜质的。 年纪这是个数字 我相信年龄只是个数字。年轻是思维的火花。我真的希望多年以后再回顾这篇文章我还保持着年轻，总是岁月会开始以另一种方式进行。 保持年轻。 |
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