Indexing on Action (wsg Tom Chi)

In this episode, host Gregg Garrett discusses thinking big and how this skill enables leaders to compete in this ever-changing environment. He then speaks to Tom Chi, the founder of One Ventures. Tom is the former head of experience at Google X where he was responsible for creating the first Google car and Google glass. Tom speaks about zooming your perspective out as far as you can before making any decisions. Of course, you have to hear about his top three, which even includes people he doesn't get along with, and you have to hear what he has to say about understanding the world through verbs over nouns. About TOm CHi Tom Chi has worked in a wide range of roles from astrophysical researcher to Fortune 500 consultant to corporate executive developing new hardware/software products and services. He's play's a significant role in established projects with global reach (Microsoft Outlook, Yahoo Search), and scaled new projects from conception to significance (Yahoo Answers from 0 to 90 million users). Tom has pioneered and practiced a unique approach to rapid prototyping, visioning, and leadership that can jumpstart innovative new ideas as well as move large organizations at unprecedented speeds. These approaches have benefitted over a dozen industry-leading companies. He most recently served as head of product experience at Google X developing technology such as Google Glass and Google's self-driving cars. His current focus is working with social and environmental entrepreneurs around the globe, rebooting the fundamental frameworks of entrepreneurship itself, and coaching/teaching a limited number of values-aligned organizations & leaders. Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview & Introductions 00:59   Seeing perspectives: the power of using systems 3:00      Taking a step back: always look for the bigger picture 4:00      Introducing Tom Chi 5:08      Tom’s Background Segment 2: The Top Three 09:54   Tom’s ‘Top Three’ begins with Buckminster Fuller 11:24   Looking at the bigger picture in Architecture 12:04   Tom’s ‘Top Three’ continues by expanding to anyone that inspires him 16:07   Studying the context is just as important as studying the topic 18:58   Modern thought process and the struggles to peel that away 21:22   Tom Concludes his ‘Top Three’ with anyone he disagrees with. Segment 3: Teaching Verbs not Nouns 23:34   Creating a world that fosters healthy relationships 24:33   People are obsessed with nouns and states. This needs to be the opposite. 25:31   Using verbs to compress key info on something 28:07   Survival of the fittest and how this embodies the usage of verbs vs nouns 30:21   Understanding the why and not the what 32:59   Static leaders vs active, involved ones 36:59   Using verbs instead of nouns to develop action statements 40:45   Leadership cannot be a bottleneck for decisions 42:40   Using the free market as an agent for change 44:23   Getting financial incentives aligned with environmental goals Section 4: Wrapping Up 48:05   Closing thoughts: change a system by pushing its current state to obsoletion 52:13   Stay in touch with Tom via LinkedIn and his website! Additional Information Contact: Tom’s LinkedIn Tom Chi’s Website Contact Gregg Garrett: Gregg’s LinkedIn Gregg’s Twitter Gregg’s Bio Contact CGS Advisors: Website LinkedIn Twitter

Om Podcasten

You, Me, and Your Top Three is a podcast focused on exploring leadership in the connecting world. Specifically, the podcast invites leaders to tell stories, reflect, and discuss their views on: - disruptions in industry and society; - how they are leading transformations considering these disruptions - brave leadership to drive transformation. It is this last point where we focus most of the discussion, asking our guests to share their insights into the relationships they have with their “Top 3” closest advisors. It is our observation and experience that as the world connects, the importance of a diverse set of counselors is increasing in value. For some this may be a formal advisor who has been contracted on behalf of the company. For most this will be deep relationships in which they have been invested and nurtured. Through stories and discussion, we strive to celebrate the art of giving and receiving advice. The stories that are told are heartfelt and real. At the root we are exploring the process of knowledge building, relationship building, and perhaps most importantly, confidence building. After all, it takes a brave leader to battle the inertia that exists in industries, our organizations, and in ourselves. It is our hope that as successful leaders open up about around the subjects and the way in which they interact with their closest confidants, that our listeners will, in turn, reflect on their own “virtual board of advisors.” Over time they will then surround themselves with those who help them stretch toward greatness and lead bravely in the connecting world.