Conscious leadership: Unlocking vision, strategy and purpose | JM Nickels (Uber, Waymo, DoorDash)

Understanding Conscious Leadership

Defining Conscious Leadership

• J.M. Nickels describes leadership as having influence, asserting that everyone is a leader in some capacity, whether it’s with family, community, or through personal actions.

• The concept of "conscious" involves self-awareness and understanding one's biases and inherited belief systems, emphasizing the importance of questioning these influences.

• Taking responsibility for one’s influence is crucial; conscious leaders must recognize how their actions affect others.

The Importance of Soft Skills

• Nickels reflects on the evolution of his leadership style from being assertive to valuing soft skills and listening more actively in meetings.

• He references Theodore Roosevelt's quote about speaking softly while carrying a big stick, highlighting the balance between assertiveness and humility in leadership.

• As a senior leader, he acknowledges power dynamics in discussions and emphasizes creating space for junior team members to voice their opinions without fear.

The Role of Mindfulness in Leadership

Awareness of Life's Impermanence

• The speaker discusses the common human tendency to ignore mortality, which can lead to a lack of prioritization regarding what truly matters in life.

• Recognizing life's finite nature prompts a reevaluation of priorities; relationships become more significant than minor achievements like presentations.

Personal Reflections on Influence

• Nickels shares insights from his diverse career experiences at companies like Waymo, DoorDash, Uber, and Groupon that shaped his understanding of product management and leadership.

• He expresses gratitude for opportunities to help others improve their craft through coaching and development initiatives.

Navigating Power Dynamics

Creating Inclusive Spaces

• Nickels stresses the importance of fostering an environment where all voices are heard during discussions; this is particularly vital for those who may feel intimidated by seniority.

Pendo and the Enterprise Ready Conference

Introduction to Pendo

• Pendo introduces a new feature called session replace, enhancing user session visualization. Over 10,000 companies currently utilize this tool.

• Pendo offers free certification courses led by product experts aimed at career advancement.

Enterprise Ready Conference Overview

• The conference is a one-day event in San Francisco for product and engineering leaders focused on enterprise SaaS.

• It features speakers from notable companies like OpenAI, Vanta, Checkr, Dropbox, and Canva discussing essential topics such as identity management and compliance.

• The event is free for founders, executives, product managers, or engineers involved in enterprise roadmaps. Attendees can gain insights from industry veterans.

Experiences at Uber: Evolution of Company Culture

Early Days at Uber

• The speaker reflects on their early experiences at Uber during the "Travis era," highlighting both positive and negative aspects of that time.

• A bold mission was established to make transportation as reliable as running water; this ambitious goal created an electric atmosphere within the company.

Leadership Dynamics

• Travis Kalanick's visionary leadership fostered innovation with initiatives like ATG (Advanced Technologies Group), but the environment was also characterized by stress and fear-based management practices.

• The speaker recounts personal challenges faced while working under pressure as a junior product manager amidst significant life changes.

Shifting Perspectives

• During intense meetings about pricing strategies involving top experts, the speaker recognized that what was needed wasn't more expertise but a shift towards collaboration and open-mindedness.

Transitioning Through Different Eras at Uber

From Chaos to Stability

• The transition from Uber 1.0 (under Travis Kalanick), through tumultuous times with board conflicts to Dara Khosrowshahi’s leadership aimed at stabilizing the company post-IPO challenges.

Current State of Uber

• Now referred to as Uber 3.0, the company has become profitable with diverse transportation modalities beyond just ride-sharing services.

The Emotional Landscape of High-Stakes Presentations

The Origins of UberX and Uber Pool

• Discussion on the name "UberX" being an internal code name that stuck due to lack of a better alternative.

• The speaker joined Uber in early 2014, during the rapid scaling of UberX, and contributed to naming "Uber Pool," which was later renamed to "Share."

Managing Emotions in Stressful Situations

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of acknowledging emotions during stressful meetings rather than suppressing them.

• A personal anecdote about advising his daughter on handling nightmares illustrates the futility of trying to avoid negative thoughts.

Understanding Cognitive Feedback Loops

• Introduction of the concept: “what you resist will persist,” highlighting how resisting emotions can lead to a cycle of stress and anxiety.

• Explanation of cognitive emotive loops where negative thoughts reinforce feelings of fear and anxiety, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.

Strategies for Emotional Acceptance

• Advice on allowing emotions to exist without fighting them; recognizing that thoughts and feelings are transient.

• Encouragement to find self-worth internally rather than seeking external approval from others like Dara.

Shifting Perspectives on Feedback

• Realization that external validation is not necessary for self-worth; focusing instead on internal acceptance.

• Metaphor comparing the pursuit of external achievements (like promotions or money) to a never-ending addiction, emphasizing that fulfillment must come from within.

Reframing High-Stakes Situations

• Importance of viewing high-stakes presentations as opportunities for growth rather than threats; feedback should be seen as constructive information.

• Acknowledgment that while some situations may feel critical, there will always be future opportunities for improvement.

Overcoming Fear in Professional Settings

• Discussion about overcoming fears related to career impacts from mistakes made in presentations by focusing less on optics and more on genuine performance improvement.

Finding Purpose in Product Management

Emphasizing Work Over Presentation

• The speaker discusses how focusing less on presentation and more on the actual work led to a better experience in navigating the product ladder.

• A passion for transportation and mobility drives the speaker's desire to create impactful products, emphasizing the importance of listening to market needs.

The Reward of Impactful Products

• The ultimate goal is to manifest a great product that benefits riders, drivers, and cities, rather than seeking personal validation as a good PM or presenter.

• By connecting with a larger purpose beyond career ambitions, the speaker finds fulfillment and improved performance in their work.

Importance of Company Mission

• Connecting deeply with the company's mission is crucial; lack of interest can hinder one's ability to adopt this productive mindset.

• There’s an ongoing tension between doing quality work and managing optics; while optics matter, they should not overshadow substantive contributions.

Balancing Work and Optics

• A balance between actual work output and how it is communicated is necessary; this balance shifts based on company size and individual roles.

• Senior leaders often focus more on optics since resource allocation decisions are influenced by how well ideas are presented.

Strategy Development Insights

• The speaker emphasizes that optics should be viewed as tools for achieving meaningful outcomes rather than ends in themselves.

• Using metaphors like "the finger pointing at the moon," he illustrates that presentations are merely inputs leading to desired outputs—successful products.

Enhancing Strategic Thinking Skills

Building Skills in Strategy and Vision

• To improve strategy skills, one must find a mission they are passionate about; genuine interest fuels motivation for strategic development.

Personal Connection to Mission

• The speaker reflects on their own passion for revolutionizing transportation as essential for developing effective strategies.

Impact of Work on Future Lives

Motivation and Focus

• The speaker expresses a profound motivation derived from the realization that their work can significantly impact future lives, emphasizing the importance of being fired up about one's contributions.

• They highlight a decade-long immersion in the mobility space, contrasting it with others who may switch between fields, suggesting that deep expertise is crucial for developing effective strategies.

Importance of Deep Understanding

• The speaker discusses the complexity of nuanced problems like shared rides, asserting that long-term focus is essential to successfully tackle such challenges.

• They reference first principles thinking, using Elon Musk's questioning of rocket costs as an example to illustrate how challenging existing norms can lead to innovative solutions.

Envisioning the Future

• The speaker encourages imagining future scenarios (5-10 years ahead), considering urban changes such as parking spaces and transportation modes.

• They stress the need for a vivid mental picture of potential futures to inspire action and articulate visions effectively.

First Principles Thinking in Transportation

Predicting Trends

• The speaker identifies autonomy as a likely future trend in transportation, predicting advancements will make vehicles and sensors more affordable without relying on lidar technology.

• They discuss sharing models in transportation, cautioning against assumptions that cheap autonomous cars will lead to individual ownership due to induced demand effects.

Shared Rides and Alternative Modalities

• The concept of induced demand is explained through examples like text messaging costs and highway lane additions, illustrating how increased availability leads to higher usage rates.

• The speaker concludes that shared rides will remain vital in future transport ecosystems alongside various forms of micro-mobility options like bikes and scooters.

Visualizing Future Scenarios

Techniques for Vision Creation

• The discussion shifts towards practical methods for envisioning future landscapes by visualizing what might happen over time without personal influence.

How to Influence Product Strategy and Future Thinking

Understanding the Relationship Between Strategy and Outcomes

• The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding how a product strategy (like for product XYZ) can influence outcomes. It suggests that recognizing whether a strategy acts as a tailwind or headwind is crucial for navigating challenges.

Visualizing Future Scenarios

• The speaker contrasts the ease of visualizing future scenarios in transportation (e.g., Uber, Waymo) with more complex B2B applications like payroll systems. They highlight the need to consider how work and payment structures may evolve over time.

The Process of Ideation

• A key question arises about how to practice ideation effectively—whether through solitary reflection or team collaboration. The speaker notes that this process cannot be rushed into a packed schedule filled with meetings.

Carving Out Time for Reflection

• To foster creativity, the speaker advocates for finding quiet moments away from daily chaos, such as going for runs or hikes, which can lead to new ideas and insights.

Transitioning from Individual to Team Collaboration

• After individual contemplation, it's important to share visions with teams. The speaker describes an all-day collaborative session focused on future marketplace discussions, emphasizing hands-on brainstorming techniques like using whiteboards.

Co-Creation and Collaborative Brainstorming

• Drawing inspiration from Pixar's "brain trust," the speaker highlights the value of co-exploration in creative spaces where team members can freely share ideas without judgment, leading to innovative solutions.

The Value of Quiet Reflection

Embracing Silence for Creativity

• The speaker shares their practice of driving without distractions (like music or podcasts), which allows their mind to wander creatively. This method often leads to unexpected insights.

Encouraging Mindfulness in Daily Routines

• Similar experiences are shared regarding spending time outdoors without media consumption. This mindfulness can yield surprising thoughts and ideas that contribute positively to creative processes.

Strategic Insights on Mobility at Uber

Evolving Product Strategies at Uber

The Complexity of Multi-Modality in Ride-Sharing

Understanding the Marketplace Dynamics

• The ride-sharing marketplace is complex, with a fixed rate for drivers and variable surge pricing for riders based on supply and demand.

• As Uber integrates various transportation options like taxis, fleet providers, and autonomous vehicles (Waymo, Cruise), it must account for different types of supply available for specific trips.

• The challenge lies in pricing strategies across diverse products (shared rides, reserved rides, etc.) and determining how to present these options to users effectively.

• Uber's logistics technology is unique; it aims to create a marketplace that has never been built before due to its physical world requirements.

• The evolving nature of supply and demand introduces infinite complexity into the marketplace dynamics.

Strategy Development Insights

• To enhance strategic thinking, one should deeply engage with a core topic over time. This aligns with Paul Graham's concept of focusing on a "top idea."

• Spending significant time in a field can lead to innovative ideas; immersing oneself in the problem area is crucial for developing effective strategies.

• At a micro level, prioritizing fewer high-impact tasks rather than spreading focus too thinly across many topics can lead to better outcomes.

• Leaders should concentrate on deepening their understanding of key responsibilities instead of managing numerous minor tasks simultaneously.

• Maintaining a focused task list (ideally three main priorities daily or weekly) helps ensure productivity without overwhelming oneself.

Productivity Techniques

• Writing down top priorities at the start of each day/week aids clarity and focus on what truly matters for success.

• Acknowledging personal preferences regarding organization systems can help tailor productivity methods that work best individually.

• Concepts from productivity literature (like GTD by David Allen), even if not fully adopted, can provide valuable insights into managing tasks effectively.

Vision vs. Execution: Finding the Balance

The Importance of Emptying the Mind

• To enhance productivity, it's crucial to clear your mind of all tasks and to-dos. This allows for better focus on vision and strategy.

• The concept of "mind like water" emphasizes that nothing should be retained in memory; everything must be documented.

Challenges with Vision Strategy

• Two primary challenges exist in vision strategy: improving skills in creating a vision and balancing it with execution.

• Striking a balance between visionary thinking and practical execution is essential for success.

Balancing Vision and Execution

• Overemphasis on theory can lead to paralysis in execution, as seen in early Uber's approach to pricing strategies.

• A theoretical plan without actionable steps can hinder progress, exemplified by complex surge pricing algorithms that were never implemented.

Real-world Examples of Imbalance

• In 2017, Uber's ambitious plans for driver pricing became overly theoretical, leading to difficulties in actual implementation.

• Conversely, DoorDash sometimes leaned too heavily into execution without adequate planning, leading to chaotic decision-making.

Dynamic Adjustments Between Strategy and Execution

• It's important to adjust focus dynamically based on the stage of product development—whether refining strategy or ramping up execution efforts.

• Leaders must recognize when to pivot towards strategic discussions versus when to accelerate execution based on established goals.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Anecdotes from Facebook and Spotify

• Mark Zuckerberg emphasized a relentless drive toward goals once alignment is achieved within Facebook’s team.

• Daniel Ek from Spotify shared their core value "talk is cheap," highlighting the importance of thorough discussion before moving into action.

Clarity vs. Discussion

• The contrast between having a well-articulated document (like Amazon's narrative style) versus engaging discussions illustrates different approaches to refining ideas before implementation.

Lessons from Hyper-Growth Companies

Experiences at DoorDash and Other Companies

• Working at various hyper-growth companies provides valuable insights into effective practices and pitfalls worth avoiding.

Understanding the Strategic Differences Between Uber and DoorDash

Mission and Strategy Origins

• The discussion highlights that both Uber and DoorDash have distinct foundational missions, with Uber focusing on rider-centric services while DoorDash emphasizes merchant support.

• Uber's origin story revolves around improving the rider experience, initially targeting airport rides, which led to a consumer-centric approach that later had to pivot towards driver investment.

• In contrast, DoorDash was founded with a mission to assist small businesses, making it inherently more merchant-focused from its inception.

Consumer vs. Merchant Focus

• The difference in focus is illustrated by how Uber Eats began as an extension of their consumer-driven model, prioritizing food options for users rather than supporting restaurants directly.

• The analogy presented compares Uber to Amazon (consumer-focused) and DoorDash to Shopify (merchant-focused), emphasizing that both strategies can be effective but are fundamentally different.

Trade-offs in Business Strategy

• A key question arises about whether it's feasible for a company to balance both consumer and merchant focuses effectively without losing clarity in strategy.

• This reflects broader marketplace challenges where companies must decide whether to prioritize hosts or guests, similar to decisions faced at Airbnb.

Action vs. Deliberation in Decision Making

• The speaker advocates for a balanced approach between over-deliberation and impulsive action; preferring proactive measures even if they lead to mistakes.

• Emphasizes learning through action as crucial for progress rather than getting stuck in analysis paralysis.

Insights from Waymo's Experience

Challenges of Scaling Autonomous Vehicles

• Waymo has made significant strides in self-driving technology but faces unique challenges when transitioning from testing environments to real-world applications at scale.

• There’s a distinction between developing autonomous vehicles on test tracks versus managing operational aspects like fleet maintenance and user acquisition.

Commercialization Considerations

• The need for diverse skills beyond technical development is highlighted; successful commercialization requires understanding market dynamics alongside technological advancements.

Waymo and Uber: The Future of Autonomous Ride-Sharing

Current Strategies in Autonomous Technology

• The speaker discusses how Uber has shifted its focus from developing autonomous technology to becoming an aggregator, partnering with companies like Waymo, Cruise, and Motional.

• The strategy involves integrating all vehicles—autonomous or not—onto a single platform to leverage Uber's large demand base and rider network.

Path to Profitability for Autonomous Companies

• Companies like Waymo and Cruise are exploring their paths to profitability after developing autonomy. Waymo One is an example of this effort.

• There’s skepticism among engineers regarding the complexity of building a ride-share app compared to the perceived simplicity of it; they often underestimate the operational challenges faced by established companies like Uber.

Challenges in Building Ride-Share Networks

• The success of Uber is attributed not just to technology but also to extensive logistics, rider support, driver support, regulatory compliance, and safety measures that are often overlooked.

• Companies face a dilemma: whether to build their own ride-share networks or collaborate with existing platforms like Uber for quicker vehicle utilization and scaling.

Collaboration vs. Independence in the Industry

• Currently, both collaboration (e.g., Waymo working with Uber in Phoenix) and independent development (Waymo building its own network) coexist as companies hedge their bets on future strategies.

The Role of Emotions in the Workplace

Understanding Internal States

• The speaker introduces a contrarian view on emotions at work, arguing against the notion that workplaces should be purely logical and data-driven.

• They emphasize "whole body intelligence," suggesting that emotions provide valuable signals about our internal states which can enhance decision-making.

Wisdom Behind Emotions

• Emotions are described as energy moving through the body; recognizing where we feel different emotions can lead to greater self-awareness during interactions.

Specific Emotions Explained

• Fear serves as a signal needing attention; it can indicate genuine concerns such as safety issues at companies like Waymo.

• Sadness represents something that needs letting go; acknowledging loss related to ideas or visions is essential for emotional health.

Actionable Insights from Emotional Awareness

• Anger indicates something is out of alignment with personal values or mission; it's important for prompting change when necessary.

Embracing Emotions in the Workplace

The Importance of Acknowledging Emotions

• The speaker discusses the concept of "birthing" ideas and visions, emphasizing the need to welcome emotions in professional settings.

• They suggest that openly discussing feelings like fear can transform workplace dynamics, fostering a more supportive environment.

• Contrary to common belief, bringing emotions into work can enhance effectiveness and decision-making by tapping into instinctual responses.

Keys to a Successful Life

• The speaker reflects on personal insights regarding living a rich and impactful life, noting that many people lack awareness of their life’s objective function.

• They highlight how inherited values often shape our objectives unconsciously, leading to unfulfilled lives.

• Referencing Ray Dalio's principles, they stress the importance of articulating one’s values and principles for clarity.

Balancing Work and Personal Life

• The discussion shifts to Clayton Christensen's observations about successful executives who neglect personal relationships due to short-term focus on work tasks.

• The speaker emphasizes the long-term consequences of prioritizing work over family time, illustrating this with an example involving a father choosing between playing with his daughter or preparing for a presentation.

Mindfulness and Awareness of Mortality

• They advocate for mindfulness regarding mortality as a means to reassess priorities and avoid wasting time on trivial matters.

• By recognizing life's impermanence, individuals are encouraged to prioritize meaningful relationships over work obligations.

Final Thoughts on Victim Mentality

• The conversation concludes with encouragement for listeners to break free from victim consciousness, promoting proactive engagement in their lives.

Empowerment Through Responsibility

The Impact of External Circumstances

• The speaker acknowledges the existence of real injustices and victims in the world but emphasizes a personal tendency to feel affected by external circumstances, such as COVID or political events.

• A transformative shift is proposed: moving from feeling like life happens to oneself to taking responsibility for one's perspective and reactions to these circumstances.

Co-Creation and Personal Agency

• The concept of co-creating one’s reality is introduced, suggesting that individuals play a role in perpetuating injustices and should view themselves as active participants in shaping their lives.

• Viktor Frankl's experiences during oppression are cited as an example of maintaining compassion even towards oppressors, illustrating the power of perspective in challenging situations.

Shifting Mindsets for Success

• Emphasizing personal agency, the speaker encourages listeners to take responsibility for their own success rather than adopting a victim mentality, which can be disempowering.

• While acknowledging hardships that may hinder success, the importance of agency and responsibility is reiterated as a source of empowerment.

Recommended Readings for Conscious Leadership

Key Books on Leadership Skills

• "The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership" by Diana Chapman and Jim Dethmer is recommended as essential reading for understanding fear versus trust dynamics in leadership contexts.

• Nancy Duarte's book "Resonate" is highlighted for its insights into effective communication and storytelling techniques, particularly through historical examples like Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches.

Understanding Audience Engagement

• Duarte discusses creating tension between current realities and potential futures to engage audiences emotionally, encouraging them to participate actively in change initiatives.

Influential Thinkers and Their Works

Alan Watts' Contributions

• Alan Watts is mentioned as a significant figure who brought Eastern philosophical concepts into Western thought with humor and depth; his works are suggested for those interested in exploring these ideas further.

• The availability of Alan Watts' lectures on platforms like Sam Harris's Waking Up app provides access to his teachings on mindfulness and philosophy.

Cultural Reflections Through Media

Recent Movie Insights

Inside Out and Emotional Literacy

The Importance of Emotional Literacy in Children

• Discusses the brilliance of the "Inside Out" movies in teaching emotional literacy to children, highlighting how kids understand complex emotions through storytelling.

Innovative Sleep Technology: Eight Sleep

• Introduces Eight Sleep, a smart mattress company that offers a mattress cover with water tubes and sensors to optimize sleep quality.

• Explains how the product helps users program temperature curves for better REM and deep sleep, emphasizing its role in enhancing overall energy and mindset.

• Mentions that Eight Sleep tracks sleep statistics, providing insights into sleep quality without needing additional wearables.

Personal Mantras and Life Lessons

Current Life Motto

• Shares a favorite life motto inspired by Ram Dass' talk featured in Jon Hopkins' track "Sit Around the Fire," focusing on transcending judgments and opinions.

• Describes using an abbreviated version of this mantra with his kids, illustrating its practical application in daily life.

Relationship Dynamics

• Talks about another Ram Dass quote "Be Here Now," which he uses humorously with his wife when she is distracted by her phone.

Memorable Experiences at Uber

Working with Travis Kalanick

• Recounts a humorous story about Travis Kalanick's paranoia regarding competitors spying during presentations at Uber's office.

• Details how Kalanick would close blinds before meetings due to concerns about Lyft potentially using drones for surveillance.

Connecting with the Audience

Online Presence and Coaching Opportunities

• Provides information on where to find him online, mentioning his Twitter handle @NickelsJM and his website rhythmofbeing.com for more insights on soft skills.

Feedback and Engagement in Conversations

Importance of Audience Feedback

• The speaker emphasizes the value of audience feedback, encouraging listeners to share what resonated with them during the conversation.

• They highlight the significance of understanding where listeners' energy levels fluctuated, indicating engagement or disinterest.

• This feedback will guide future discussions, allowing the speaker to focus on topics that generate more interest and enthusiasm among listeners.

Closing Remarks

• The speaker expresses gratitude towards J.M. for participating in the discussion and thanks the audience for their attention.