Naval Ravikant explains why you don't need to be CEO

Matt and Naval Ravikant (founder and former CEO of AngelList) talk about why you don't need to be the CEO.

Naval explains how he realized it wasn't the role he wanted at AngelList, what he did to get over his fear of stepping back, and how much more value he can (and does) create now that he is no longer in that role.

If you don't love being CEO, know that there is likely someone who can do the job better than you, and you can create much more value in the role that you actually love.

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FULL AUDIO 🎧

CHAPTERS 📖

Lesson #1: Why you don't need to be CEO
00:00 Intro
00:46 CEO roles
1:52 Being honest with yourself

Lesson #2: Focus on your Zone of Genius
3:00 Finding your Zone of Genius
4:02 Good people who make you miserable

Lesson #3: Finding the founder mentality
4:30 Recruiting other founders

Lesson #4: Learning to take a step back
6:57 The value of free time
10:17 Successful examples

Lesson #5: Keeping yourself engaged after leaving
11:07 Make it sustainable
13:15 Letting the title go

Lesson #6: Handling the fear of walking away
14:05 How Naval feels now
16:04 No more compromises

Lesson #7: Helpful hacks to live by
17:27 Controlling your time
20:22 Closing thoughts

RESOURCES ✨

-CEO Role:

SOCIALS 🐦

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[JoelJohnson]

If I could speak like Naval, I would never shut up

[muneerghure]

"I dont wanna do this, and because I dont wanna do this, i won't be good at it"

This just hit me.

[alirezadoroudi]

I can’t believe how underrated this channel is, thank you so much for putting this stuff out for free

[memesbycowbelly]

The nugget about the truth coming out the 2nd/3rd/4th instance you press for it is so true. I'm writing this comment so I remember it in the future.
Thanks for illuminating it! Great interview

[dickygray]

This was a fantastic interview, Matt! You deserve more subscribers 💯

I agree with your comment about how Naval articulates his thoughts well enough that it could be a book.

My top two takeaways:
1) From you - ask for a preview before scheduling a call as time can often be saved with a text/email reply
2) From Naval - if you probe deep enough, the last reason is the true reason for declining (the sale/pitch offer). The first reason is usually superficial.

Thanks a lot, gents. Today, I learnt loads about business, psychology and enjoying life. Cheers 🤝🏼

[thecoffeehog]

This was a life changing discussion. Thanks Matt & Naval for doing this :)

[martinjef]

Great episode. I love Naval's authenticity. A great human being. Thanks for doing this.

[RajBeats]

Incredible amounts of wisdom, and as an introvert solopreneur....very helpful and a bit contrasting to the typical "hustle culture" advice to wear a thousand hats. Thanks both of you.

[joachimschneider]

This will have an immense impact on my life. Thank you so much you two!
And besides that, best part is when you see how happy Matt is while naval is talking about how enjoyable his life is today. This is what the world needs the most, true love for each other❤️

[BradleyADavis]

Great conversation. Hope you have Naval on again. Wishing you the best with your channel.

[kaptan]

I fugured this out the hard way. Being the boss and burning out. This is the first time I've heard someone else say this in public.

[veejay]

Wow, thank you so much for this. Boredom helps creativity.. flip the problem on its head and then just wait for the subconscious to do its job. Amazing !!

[bjunjo]

Wow thought Naval would never do any interview after his recent appearance in Tim Ferriss show. Thank you both!

[shoshysam]

What a thoughtful conversation!! Additionally we should all mention Naval's command over English! Incredible!

[Iminitmatador]

Thanks Matt and Naval. You guys rocked! Super enriched listening to you.

[jimihendrixx]

Naval excellent as always. Thank you both great interview and Matts book seems like a must-read. I"ll be checking it out asap.

[criticalrebel]

Naval _ hearing this genius on recent days _ unbelievable contents _ truth and value at word by word defined in his own type _ ONLY DO THINGS WHICH YOU ARE ENJOYING _

VALUE OF FREE TIME _ DON'T KEEP CALENDER _ CREATIVITY COMES AFTER LONG TIME BY KEEPING PROBLEM IN MIND _

SECOND REASON IS TRUE ONE _

[dylanjardon]

Why am I just discovering your channel now…this is amazing Matt 🙌🏽 Subscribed and will be binging everything thank you 🙏🏼

[ndthedreamer]

Thanks, Matt, for this great video. Naval's words are incredibly compelling and your Zone of Genius is just out of this world.

[phoenixnormand]

OMG, THIS! So much fire and wisdom in this conversation.