Pattern Breakers

Latest Episodes:

Breakthrough Lessons: Start a Movement; not just a business Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

David Sacks demonstrates how the best startup founders talk about causes much bigger than themselves or the companies they're building. Google was about organizing the world's information. Tesla was about moving the world to sustainability, not just selling cars. These startup leaders saw a world that they wanted to create and built a movement around their visions. Sacks shows us how great startup products aren't just selling a product that solves an immediate problem; they are selling a vision of a better world that people can buy into. By doing this, they create MOVEMENTS; not just businesses. Check out the Pattern Breakers Blog at patternbreakers.substack.com for even more Pattern Breaking content from Mike. Mike's book Pattern Breakers is available now wherever you buy books. Follow Mike on X!

David Sacks: Legendary Startup Product Expert Apr 19, 2021

Show notes

David Sacks, known as one of the best startup product strategists and operators of the last 20 years, discusses key lessons learned from his tenure in the PayPal Mafia, where he was head of product, along with key takeaways as founding CEO of Yammer and what he learned from working directly with industry greats like Peter Thiel and Elon Musk. Check out the Pattern Breakers Blog at patternbreakers.substack.com for even more Pattern Breaking content from Mike. Mike's book Pattern Breakers is available now wherever you buy books. Follow Mike on X!

Breakthrough Lessons: Be a Learn-it-All; not a Know-it-All Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

Maybe you've struggled with needing to seem in charge or on top of a challenging situation, even when you're unsure of what to do. If so, you've likely heard the siren song that tempts you to be a know-it-all. But Matt Mullenweg shows us how the learn-it-all is most likely to achieve greatness.

Check out Mike’s interview with Bob Metcalfe (of Metcalfe’s Law) where he also discusses leadership lessons.

Check out the Pattern Breakers Blog at patternbreakers.substack.com for even more Pattern Breaking content from Mike.

Mike's book Pattern Breakers is available now wherever you buy books.

Follow Mike on X!

Matt Mullenweg: How a modest empire builder powered a huge chunk of the web Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

Wordpress CEO Matt Mullenweg talks with Mike Maples Jr of Floodgate about his early successes, setbacks, and what founders can learn from his continued growth as a manager and leader. Check out the Pattern Breakers Blog at patternbreakers.substack.com for even more Pattern Breaking content from Mike. Mike's book Pattern Breakers is available now wherever you buy books. Follow Mike on X!

Breakthrough Lessons: ALWAYS know your competitive edge Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Mark Cuban shows us that it's not enough to play by the rules as they are defined. If you are going to achieve greatness as a startup, you need to find your EDGE...which means you have to outmaneuver your competition before they even engage with you on the competitive battlefield. You have to change the rules to your advantage and not just play by the rules as they are given to you. Never fall into the trap of not anticipating how a giant competitor will try to run you out of business someday...because it will happen every time if your startup matters in the first place. Check out the Pattern Breakers Blog at patternbreakers.substack.com for even more Pattern Breaking content from Mike. Mike's book Pattern Breakers is available now wherever you buy books. Follow Mike on X!

Mark Cuban: You only have to be right once...if you take big enough swings along the way Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Mike Maples of Floodgate talks to Mark Cuban about a wide range of topics with a common theme...you have to go after opportunities where the stakes are high enough that when you win, you can win BIG. And as a corollary, you have to anticipate that giant competitors will try to stop you because otherwise, you are thinking too small. Check out the Pattern Breakers Blog at patternbreakers.substack.com for even more Pattern Breaking content from Mike. Mike's book Pattern Breakers is available now wherever you buy books. Follow Mike on X!

Breakthrough Lessons: Thinking in Bets Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

Annie Duke shows us that making high-quality decisions is one of the most important skills we can build for improving our odds of success in startups and in life. It's also a skill that can be sharpened and improved over time, regardless of how uncertain the circumstances. By adopting scientifically-proven frameworks from her books "Thinking in Bets" and "How to Decide," we can make better predictions and choices more often and with more confidence. Check out the Pattern Breakers Blog at patternbreakers.substack.com for even more Pattern Breaking content from Mike. Mike's book Pattern Breakers is available now wherever you buy books. Follow Mike on X!

Annie Duke: Decision-making Secrets from a World Series of Poker Champion Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

(04:51) - Explaining what makes a decision good or bad

(6:36) - On how memory creep impacts our view of Hilary Clinton’s 2016 campaign

(11:30) - On the use of a knowledge tree to inform decision making

(16:59) - Looking at Pete Carrol’s controversial decision in the Super Bowl

(26:16) - On founders falling into a trap around pricing their product

(38:08) - When to make informed decisions and follow a process

Check out the Pattern Breakers Blog at patternbreakers.substack.com for even more Pattern Breaking content from Mike.

Mike's book Pattern Breakers is available now wherever you buy books.

Follow Mike on X!

Breakthrough Lessons: Get REAL Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

Tim Ferriss' success shows the value of building real things for real people rather than creating abstract approximations that represent what's real. The lessons of getting real apply directly to startups who want to avoid the trap of unshaped work and indirect understanding of what customers are truly desperate for. Check out Mike’s interviews with Steve Blank for more learnings on product-market fit. Check out the Pattern Breakers Blog at patternbreakers.substack.com for even more Pattern Breaking content from Mike. Mike's book Pattern Breakers is available now wherever you buy books. Follow Mike on X!

How Tim Ferriss found product-market fit for “The Four Hour Workweek” Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

(2:47) - Tim looks back at the origins of the 4-Hour Workweek and early incarnations of the book

(9:30) - Mike and Tim discuss the idea of talking to real customers and of “getting real” to increase the chances of your startup’s success

(12:41) - Tim offers his thoughts on category design and the importance of creating a category, as well as working in categories where there were few competitors

(18:02) - Tim discusses the marketing ideas behind the 4-Hour Workweek and finding product-market fit, and offers ideas for book promotion

(31:05) - Mike and Tim share their ideas on the role of a startup advisor, and how to pick the right advisor for your company

(36:44) - Mike and Tim discuss the risks of negotiating with high-conflict people, and Tim reflects on his failures as a startup advisor

(40:27) - Tim stresses the importance of a quality product over public relations and personal brand

Check out the Pattern Breakers Blog at patternbreakers.substack.com for even more Pattern Breaking content from Mike.

Mike's book Pattern Breakers is available now wherever you buy books.

Follow Mike on X!

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