The Blind Ambition with Jack Kelly

Latest Episodes:

Gen-Zs Are Delusional When It Comes To Salaries Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

A recent survey has unveiled a startling disconnect between young people’s perception of financial success and their economic reality. The study revealed that Gen-Z believe an annual salary of $587,797 and a net worth of $9.47 million are necessary to achieve financial success.

In this episode, we talk about why this generation has such a high benchmark for financial success and why it may be unrealistic. We explore alternative career routes that could be high-paying for people looking to make a lot of money.

What Can Go Horribly Wrong When You Bring Your Whole Self To Work Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

There is an ongoing debate about whether or not you should bring your authentic self to work. Critics say that you should check all that at the door, leaving behind your personal politics, social causes and sob stories.

In this episode, we discuss the extent to which we should allow people to be their authentic selves in the workplace. Do you allow the rockstar jerk to continue to be a jerk if he is bringing in a lot of money? We also explore how there is power in embracing your true self, giving you the confidence to go after “crazy” ideas, advocate for yourself and effect change

What You Need To Know About The Job Market, Economy & Inflation: Ex-Chief Economist At Glassdoor Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Aaron Terrazas is an economist who has worked for the U.S. Treasury, Zillow and was most recently, the chief economist at Glassdoor. He spent his career providing research, analysis and commentary on today’s evolving workplace and fast-changing labor market.
Aaron discusses how there are two different job markets concurrently happening, and delves into the undercurrent beneath the headline numbers we are seeing in the economy and job market, primarily the erosion of the quality of work for white-collar workers.
Aaron talks about the cloud of uncertainty heading into 2025 and the importance of nuance when talking about issues such as illegal immigration and labor supply. We speak about the shift of demographics in the workforce, with the exodus of Baby Boomers and the implications that has on the job market and upward mobility, as well as intergenerational wealth transfers. Lastly, we talk about the impact of inflation in the near and long term, and how high interest rates alter the calculus of capital and startup investments.

Phil Willburn, VP of People Analytics, Workday: ‘Crush Your Job And Build Connections’ Nov 25, 2024

Show notes

Phil Willburn leads the People Analytics division at Workday, a platform serving human resources and finance needs with over 70 million users and handling 800 billion transactions annually.
The current job market for white-collar workers is highly competitive, with job applications being submitted at a rate four times higher than the number of job openings. This disparity highlights the challenges faced by job seekers, who also perceive limited opportunities for advancement within their current organizations.
For those feeling stagnant in their careers, Phil emphasizes the importance of “crushing your job” and making efforts to be noticed. Despite the competitive environment, there are still opportunities for growth as companies set higher standards for hiring. Phil underscores the distinction between human capital and social capital, advocating for a focus on both to enhance networking and build a professional reputation. He notes that professional connections are a key factor in securing new positions, as referrals have become increasingly influential in the hiring process.

Regulators Want To Break Up Google: Will Apple, Amazon And Meta Be Next? Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

The Department of Justice (DOJ) called for a breakup of Google, divesting its Chrome browser and potentially Anthe droid operating system. This move comes after a federal judge ruled in August that Google illegally monopolized the online search and advertising markets. The DOJ argues that forcing Google to sell Chrome would eliminate its dominance. Things will be changing quickly in 2025!

Robert Israch, President At Tipalti: When Is The Right Time To Switch Companies? Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

Robert Israch is the President of Tipalti, a global finance automation platform, who has over 20 years of leadership experience. During Rob’s tenure, Tipalti has experienced 50x growth, while helping the company receive a valuation of over $8.3 billion. The company has appeared on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 and Inc. 5000 lists for the last five years running. In this episode, Rob talks about the importance of the 3 P’s when balancing your career: Place, People and Profession and how he went against the advice of his mentors by following his gut and taking a less-senior role in a position he knew he could grow in. Rob walks us through the framework of when is the right time to switch companies, as well as assessing a potential employer. He gives insight into what makes a company successful, such as its commitment to hard work, grit, problem-solving and conflict resolution. Rob also breaks down the concept of customer centricity.

Kiranbir Sodhia, Senior Manager At Google: How Interviewing In Big Tech Can Be A ‘Rough Journey’ Nov 11, 2024

Show notes

Kiranbir Sodhia is a Senior Engineering Manager, leading teams developing machine learning frameworks for Google and the open-source community. He has over 15 years of experience working in AI, AR, gaming, mobile app and semiconductor industries at companies like Microsoft, Apple and Garmin International. Notably, at Microsoft he led development teams in Azure, Xbox and HoloLens. Kiranbir has always known exactly what he wanted to do, since the age of 12, and used that vision to build the stepping stones and skill sets to achieve his goals. He walks us through his trajectory to becoming a manager and how he has maintained the same enthusiasm all these years later. Kiranbir talks about why you shouldn’t fear failure and how it can be a key motivator for greatness. He gives us insight into the interviewing process at the prestigious Big Tech companies, from the perspective of both a job candidate and as a leader who has built his own teams. Lastly, Kiranbir shares how he turned down pre-IPO Facebook to work at his then-dream employer Apple, a decision he calls “comical” and humbling.

Mark McCaffrey, CFO of GoDaddy: Taking Risks Nov 06, 2024

Show notes

Mark McCaffrey is the CFO of GoDaddy. McCaffrey joined the company in 2021 after a long and successful career at PwC—a decision that was swiftly made within 24 hours of a conversation with the company's CEO. He was drawn to GoDaddy's passion for its customers and its underdog mentality, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the company's transformation from a domain business. In this episode of the Blind Ambition Podcast with Jack Kelly, we discuss the importance of controlling your personal career narrative, which often involves taking risks and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Mark talks about why passion is crucial, as well as surrounding yourself with a network of sponsors, mentors and coaches. His career journey not only provides an interesting case study on opportunities after a lifetime in public accounting, but also highlights the importance of recognizing opportunity, identifying emotional leadership and developing the confidence needed to bet a career on a gut feeling.

How The Betting Markets May Influence Voters Nov 05, 2024

Show notes

Although we are having an American Presidential election, it looks like people from other countries can bet on the outcome of who wins the US Presidency. For example, a French trader known only as "Théo" has made headlines for placing a massive $30 million bet on Donald Trump winning the 2024 presidential election through the cryptocurrency prediction market platform Polymarket. If successful, his bet could yield approximately $80 million in returns, but he risks losing most or all of his investment if Kamala Harris wins. Some experts and politicians have raised concerns about election betting potential influence on voter perception and democratic processes, with Senator Jeff Merkley proposing legislation to ban such practices. Prediction markets can significantly influence public opinion on elections through several mechanisms. They provide real-time updates and respond quickly to new developments, offering a dynamic alternative to traditional polling, which captures only periodic snapshots of voter sentiment. Does Betting Make The Elections Better? By incorporating various factors beyond mere voter intention—such as economic data and current events—prediction markets compel participants to "put their money where their mouth is," potentially leading to more honest assessments of candidates' chances. This can create perceived momentum for candidates with strong odds, and the media often amplifies market movements, further shaping voter sentiment. However, concerns about reliability persist, as market manipulation practices like wash trading can distort outcomes; reports suggest that approximately one-third of Polymarket's trading volume may be artificial.

Jack and Rick Take on Home Depot Requiring All Employees to Work in its Stores Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

Jack Kelly and Rick Chen react to Home Depot's policy requiring all corporate employees to work eight hours at one of its retail stores every quarter.

Rick discusses the practicality and what it'd be like to have senior executives, remote workers or people who don't have any day-to-day understanding of retail policy or frontline experience working. Jack compares the policy to an episode of "Undercover Boss" and wonders if the company can improve its supply chain and corporate policies to be a more effective, profitable company. Finally, Rick and Jack reflect on the potential impact the policy could have on Home Depot customers and the company's bottom line.

⁠⁠https://bit.ly/blind-podcast⁠

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/10/09/home-depot-asks-corporate-employees-to-get-out-of-their-offices-and-work-8-hour-shift-in-stores/⁠

⁠https://www.teamblind.com/post/Home-Depot-doing-the-Corporate-Employees-Work-in-Retail%E2%80%9D-Bulls-B8WUQWSi⁠

⁠https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/12/23/could-doordash-executives-and-white-collar-employees-be-required-to-make-food-deliveries-to-customers/

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