Corporate culture perpetuates the idea that we need to fake it ‘til we make it, pretending to have all the answers and projecting confidence in our abilities—whether we feel it or not.
But what if there are advantages to not knowing?
What if living rich, creative entrepreneurial lives requires that we let go of what we think we know, step into new territory and expand our mental map of the world?
Today, Jeffrey considers the benefit of naïveté in creativity and entrepreneurship with Sequoia Blodgett, former music video director and founder of Commas, a tech platform designed to help founders build sustainable businesses. Sequoia shares her journey from directing music videos to the tech world, explaining what she did to secure VC funding for her first company and how the failure of that venture led to the creation of Commas. She addresses the vast disparity of women of color in tech, discussing the unconscious bias prevalent on both sides of private equity and her mission to even the playing field for multicultural entrepreneurs. Listen in to understand how travel enhances creativity and learn how to navigate your own knowledge gaps in the pursuit of an excellent life.
[0:02] How naïveté can work to our advantage
[4:44] How Sequoia’s creative genius expressed itself early on
[11:47] Sequoia’s frustration with the business of making music videos
[17:43] What inspired Sequoia to step into the tech world
[29:59] How the failure of 7AM informed the creation of Commas
[34:46] The navigation of knowledge gaps in pursuit of excellence
[39:10] Sequoia’s mindset shift around what it means to fail
[40:04] The vast disparity of women of color in tech
[46:01] Sequoia’s insight around trying to do it all yourself
[48:06] What Sequoia is doing to foster a strong inner life
[51:20] Sequoia’s take on the necessity of wonder
[57:27] What Sequoia is learning to say NO to
[1:02:22] How to expand your mental map of the world
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Columbia Study on Intercultural Relationships & Creativity
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