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Shantanu Narayen

Adobe, Chairman and CEO
EPISODE 72

Plant the Vision

Today’s guest is Shantanu Narayen, the Chairman and CEO of Adobe.

It’s the leader’s job to communicate the vision of the company in a way that ignites the hearts and minds of the people they lead and plant the flag of a big idea. Our teams don’t show up simply for the paycheck. They want something bigger to be a part of, a compelling vision to get behind that infuses all kinds of meaning and passion into their day to day.

Since 2018, Adobe’s valuation has tripled and is now at 300 billion dollars. That type of growth is possible because of the work Shantanu has done to lead his team toward a compelling vision. Adobe is a team of innovators and they’re chasing a vision they believe in, one their team is pursuing together, and with passion. There’s a lot we can learn from Shantanu and how he’s igniting the hearts and minds of the people he leads.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How a software engineer becomes a CEO, and what roads and flags have to do with it
  • How to prioritize long-term innovation AND short-term execution
  • How to disrupt your own company in order to stay ahead of competitors
  • Why having data AND a narrative matters in an Adobe performance review
  • Why this year’s stock price is not a good indicator of current performance
  • PLUS, Why your vision may not yet be aspirational ENOUGH

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More from Shantanu Narayen

Be a flag planter
It’s your job as a leader to create a compelling vision that infuses meaning and purpose into the work you do. Plant that flag in the ground, and give your people a noble cause to rally around.
Constantly disrupt yourself
Spoiler alert: the world changing. Are you going to take advantage of it, be in denial about it, or allow the competition to eat your lunch? The choice is yours.
Stay innovative by having unreasonable expectations
Be audacious with your goals and plans. That big vision will help you draw out more innovation and combat complacency.
Challenge your team to set more aspirational goals
When it comes to setting team goals, don’t sandbag. Push your thinking. If you can easily outline the path to reaching your goal, it’s probably not ambitious enough.
Spend a disproportionate amount on high impact activities
Want to move the needle for your company? Get radically focused on your biggest priorities and coach others to do the same.
Show initiative that you can take on more responsibility
Yes, you’ve got to do your job well. But to truly set yourself apart, look for opportunities to deliver beyond your job description.

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Short (but powerful) leadership advice from entrepreneurs and CEOs of top companies like JPMorgan Chase, Target, Starbucks and more.

Clips

  • Be a flag planter
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Celebrate failures that led to a success
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • This CEO's advice to his children
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Plan for the updside; react to the downside
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Balance innovation with predictability
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Show initiative that you can take on more responsibility
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Don't resort to letting people go when times get tough
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Prioritize what's important during times of crisis
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • "Look around the corners" during product development
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Constantly disrupt yourself
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Think with a portfolio approach
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Create a common vocabulary to use for business reviews
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Create an open data initiative to paint the full picture of products
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Stay innovative by having unreasonable expectations
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Use failure as learning and motivation
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Challenge your team to set more aspirational goals
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO
  • Spend a disproportionate amount on high impact activities
    Shantanu Narayen
    Shantanu Narayen
    Adobe, Chairman and CEO

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