#04: Tony Xu, Doordash Cofounder & CEO—Break Problems Into Detailed Pieces
Learn how Tony solves big problems by diving into small details – and why it’s a crucial skill for leaders, even if you hate getting “into the weeds.” Plus, practical advice for fostering innovation on your team and balancing work with life.
How Leaders Lead with David Novak · David Novak
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Show Notes
Today’s guest is Tony Xu, Cofounder and CEO of Doordash.
Getting a nice tasty burrito delivered to your door may seem pretty straightforward.
But when you think about all the moving parts – vendors, drivers, logistics, traffic, weather, technology – there are a lot of places where problems can pop up!
Tony and his team love to solve those problems. And they do it by breaking them down to their smallest details, so they really get clear on what’s happening.
At Doordash, Tony is creating a culture of action and ownership – where his people have both the skills AND the attitude they need to really dig into details.
To be honest, we leaders sometimes overlook those nitty gritty details. And that can be costly, because we never get the full understanding and clarity we really need to solve the problem.
Great leaders have to deal in reality. And sometimes, reality is really detailed.
Tony is a great leader who has the curiosity and hard work it takes to break problems down into detailed pieces – and there’s a lot we can learn from him!
You’ll also learn:
- The #1 strategy you need to solve problems – even the really tough ones
- Two practical ways you can foster more innovation in your company
- Three standout behaviors to look for as you hire
- A golden piece of advice for balancing work with the rest of your life
- The surprising thing Tony teaches everyone at Doordash (and why)
Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:
The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go
Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day
Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.