In this episode of "One of One," you'll hear an incredible conversation with Jiajun Zhu (JZ) and Dave Ferguson, the co-founders of Nuro, a pioneering autonomous vehicle company. They discuss the intricate dynamics of their unique leadership roles as they share candid insights into the way they can operate as co-CEOs, with JZ focusing on technology and people, and Dave handling finance, investment, and partnerships. You’ll hear firsthand how both leaders credit their leadership team for managing the day-to-day operations while they steer the strategic direction of the company.

JZ and Dave also offer a heartfelt discussion on the interplay between parenting and leadership. JZ, a father of two, talks about the challenges and rewards of balancing work with family life, crediting his wife’s support, and draws parallels between the emotional experiences in parenting and running a company. Similarly, Dave, also a parent, views parenting as the original leadership role and shares how emotional management at home complements his professional responsibilities.

The episode takes you through their personal journeys, from their serendipitous meeting at Google’s self-driving car project, Waymo, to the foundation and growth of Nuro. JZ’s lifelong passion for robotics and Dave’s shift from climate interests to robotics reveal their deep-rooted motivations and resilience amidst entrepreneurial challenges. You will appreciate the significance of resilience and persistence in entrepreneurship, recognize the emotional aspects tied to leadership roles, and be inspired by their unwavering optimism and vision for the future of autonomous technology. Join us as we explore the behind-the-scenes journey of two visionary leaders steering Nuro toward a transformative impact on everyday life.

Join us in this engaging episode of "One of One" as we sit down with Scott Cutler, an influential leader with an impressive career at the New York Stock Exchange, StubHub, eBay, and StockX. Scott shares his journey from an advisory role to CEO, unfolding his leadership philosophy centered on personal development, exemplary leadership, and achieving results amidst external challenges like the global pandemic and economic shifts.

He offers a heartfelt reflection on his upbringing, early morning routines, and a personal tragedy that redefined his career, emphasizing the power of choice and resilience. Drawing inspiration from mountains and his favorite book "Annapurna," Scott provides profound insights into maintaining focus, fostering relationships, and the continuous pursuit of innovation. This episode promises to leave you inspired and equipped with valuable lessons on navigating the peaks and valleys of professional and personal life.

Radically rethink how work gets done at scale as Darren sits down with Bill Anderson, the visionary CEO of Bayer, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and biotech companies. They discuss the sacred nature of work, the role of faith in leadership, and the secret ingredient to extraordinary leadership teams. They also touch on sports as Bayer celebrated its soccer team, Bayer Leverkusen, winning the German soccer championship earlier this year.

Expect to gain deep insights into leading with courage and wisdom, the significance of fostering a positive work environment, and practical strategies for transformative performance both personally and within your organizations. This episode is a masterclass in leadership that's not to be missed.

Timestamped Overview:

00:00 As CEO of Genentech, Bill fixed a structure that couldn’t get things done.

07:02 Introduced a leaner organizational model to Bayer employees.

10:56 How he constantly asks questions to encourage innovative solutions.

13:03 A leadership style that focuses on vision, architecture, catalysis, coaching.

15:39 Positive work environments are crucial for success.

21:11 Lessons learned from his soccer team’s phenomenal season that set new unbeaten record.

24:04 Technical skills are valuable in a career; management isn't always necessary.

27:50 Early management adversity taught perseverance and leadership.

31:05 Transformative teams require trust, change, and self-sacrifice.

36:28 Boss's role: serve employees, support decision-making.

39:36 Seek careers that serve and help others.

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