Principles from Brian Chesky, the Founder of Airbnb
Unleashing the Power Within: Lessons in Leadership from Bryan Chesky
Estimated reading time (5 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
Every Friday, I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
Principle of the Week
“The more I am in the details, the less I have to work.”— Bryan Chesky, Founder of Airbnb
Ever wondered how really Airbnb was born?
Alright, so picture this: a young Bryan Chesky, way before the Airbnb empire, spending his childhood obsessed with art. We're talking about a kid who, instead of asking Santa for toys, requested poorly designed ones so he could give them a makeover. His parents, slightly anxious about the financial prospects of an artist, got reassurance from his art teacher who predicted, "He's going to be a famous artist one day."
Fast forward to high school, where Bryan's artistic journey took a military-school detour. But it wasn't until he switched to a public high school late in junior year that he met Ms. Williams, the art teacher who changed the game. She saw something in Bryan, and her confidence led him to win a national art competition, earn a scholarship to the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and display his artwork in the Rotunda Gallery.
Now, let's switch gears. Bryan enters RISD, thinking he's destined to draw and paint, only to realize he might be a century late for that party. Enter Industrial Design, the superhero of disciplines that includes everything from toothbrushes to spaceships. It was in this world that Bryan got his training in working with engineers, understanding manufacturing, and being accountable to sales.
But here's the twist. The biggest value Bryan got from RISD wasn't just about designing stuff; it was meeting Joe Gebbia, his co-founder in the making. Joe, on the day of graduation, drops the bomb: "Brian, I think we're going to start a company together one day." At this point, Bryan's like, "Wait, what?"
Cut to a couple of years later. Bryan's working as an industrial designer in LA when a mysterious package arrives, containing a seat cushion with a handle. Joe, now in San Francisco, had started a company, and everyone was starting companies. It's 2007, YouTube's blowing up, and the world's gears are grinding in San Fran.
One day, Bryan quits his job, packs his stuff into an old Honda Civic, and rolls into San Francisco with dreams and, well, not enough rent money. That's when the genius idea pops up. A design conference is in town, hotels are fully booked, and Bryan and Joe decide to turn their place into a makeshift bed and breakfast. They call it Air Bed and Breakfast.
And there you have it, the birth of Airbnb, where Bryan Chesky, the kid who started as an artist, the student who embraced industrial design, and the guy who risked it all, kicked off a revolution in the way we think about travel and home.
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Question to Ponder
Have you considered the untapped power within the details of your work? How might immersing yourself in the intricacies lead to greater leadership efficiency and success?
Call to Action
Bryan Chesky’s principle is a paradoxical realization rooted in his experience. When he immersed himself in the details during the early stages of Airbnb, it indeed demanded intense effort and commitment, resembling a higher workload. However, this was a short-term phase. This initial deep dive into details and hands-on involvement created a shared consciousness within his team. Everyone started rowing in the same direction. Bryan became the fulcrum, aligning the efforts of the team. This led to a cultural shift where, eventually, he didn't have to be in meetings or micromanage because the team understood and executed the vision autonomously.
How can you translate this into your own business? Here is a framework inspired by Bryan:
Immerse Yourself in the Details Initially:
Be hands-on. Dive into the intricacies of your projects. Yes, it might feel like a whirlwind, but remember, this is the workout that leads to streamlined efficiency.
Build a Shared Consciousness:
Foster open communication and collaboration. Ensure that every team member understands the goals, values, and the intricate details of the project. Encourage team members to share insights and ideas freely.
Be Hands-On and Accessible:
Be actively involved in the day-to-day operations, especially in the early stages. Be accessible to your team, answer questions, and provide guidance. Lead by example when it comes to attention to detail.
Promote Autonomy and Alignment:
Strive to create a culture of autonomy and alignment. Empower your team to take ownership of their roles. Provide clear direction and expectations, fostering a sense of shared responsibility. “They say the culture is what happens when you're not in the room and the brand is what people say when you're not in the room.”
Reflect and Modify:
Regularly reflect on your approach. Identify what's working well and what can be improved. Don't be afraid to modify your strategies based on insights and experiences.
Cultivate Curiosity and Maintain a Beginner's Mindset:
Cultivate curiosity in yourself and your team. Encourage continuous learning and exploration. Stay open to new ideas and perspectives. “Pablo Picasso had a saying. "It took me four years to learn to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to learn to paint like a child." And so I've tried to always see the world through the eyes of a child. And I think one of the key characteristics of a child is curiosity. To see everything with fresh eyes. To not have too many judgments.”
Seek Help Shamelessly:
Don't hesitate to seek advice or assistance when needed. Understand that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Utilize the collective knowledge and experience of your network. “I try to understand the sources of things. I try to learn. I try to be shameless about reaching out to help. I think that a lot of people are afraid to reach out to help because they think other people are busy. The biggest honor most people get in their lives, or one of the biggest honors is when other people ask them for help”.
Video of the Week
Brian Chesky talks about the highs and lows of creating the world’s biggest brands
If you want to learn more principles, I interview founders on my podcast, The First 100, where they share how they acquired their first 100 paying customers. This week:
Episode 112 - The First 100 with Suman Kanuganti, the Co-Founder of Personal.ai
Episode 113 - The First 100 with Richard Valtr, the Co-Founder of Mews
And that’s a wrap for now!
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Bryan was like " Wait What " !!! What does a Wait What look like.????