Disclaimer: My notes are not a summary of the book. I’m just saving ideas for myself, for later reflection. If I encounter a surprising or inspiring thoughts, I hold them in my own words or as exact quotations. My notes may not make sense to some readers, and you may find them out of context because these are my way of interpreting the books I’ve read. I highly recommend everybody to read the whole book, especially if you liked my notes.
Author – Ekaterina Walter
“Think Like Zuck” by Ekaterina Walter is a book that explores the mindset and strategies of Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Facebook. The book is divided into four chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of Zuckerberg’s approach to business and leadership. “Think like Zuck” examines the five “P” principles behind Facebook’s meteoric rise:
– Passion – Keep your energy and commitment fully charged at all times by pursuing something you believe in
– Purpose – Don’t just create a great product; drive a meaningful movement
– People – Build powerful teams that can execute your vision
– Product – Create a product that is innovative, that breaks all the rules, that changes everything
– Partnership – Build powerful partnerships with people who fuel imagination and energize execution
Chapter 1: Passion
This chapter emphasizes the importance of having a grand vision and setting audacious goals. It highlights how Zuckerberg’s ambitious thinking has driven the growth and success of Facebook. Build what you believe in. Align your business interests with your personal philosophy.
It doesn’t matter where inspiration comes from. Your idea may not be fully original, but always create your masterpiece authentically and with purpose.
Chapter 2: Purpose
Walter discusses Zuckerberg’s “hacker mentality” and his willingness to take risks and embrace failure as part of the learning process. It explores the culture of experimentation and innovation that he fostered at Facebook. A company’s direction may change as it grows, but the true purpose of a successful company stays the same. Build your company with a long-term vision. Build it to last. And if you want to see your long-term vision come to life, try to maintain control as long as possible.
Walter provides examples of many founders who stuck to their purpose despite the odds that later produced groundbreaking results. James Dyson, supported by his wife’s salary as a teacher, pumped his finances into his bagless cleaner. James did 5,127 attempts and took 15 years to launch Dyson. Today the company is valued at 7.4 billion. Thomas Edison, the American inventor who created the light bulb once said – “I failed my way to success”
Move Fast and Break Things
Mark Zuckerberg
I made 5,127 prototypes of my vaccume before I got it right. There were 5,126 failures> But I learned from each one. That’s how I came up with the solution.
Sir James Dyson
Chapter 3: People
This chapter delves into Zuckerberg’s ability to build and lead high-performing teams. It explores his emphasis on hiring smart, passionate individuals and creating a culture that fosters collaboration, diversity, and trust. Your company’s culture (or the lack thereof) directly contributes to the success of your business. As a leader, it is your job to help define your company’s destiny.
Hire for attitue. Skills can be taught; passion can’t.
Your people are your brand, each one of your employees is your brand’s face, your brand’s best ambassador your best marketer.
Chapter 4: Product
Walter discusses Zuckerberg’s iterative approach to product development and improvement. She explores the concept of “The Hacker Way” and how it encourages constant iteration and refinement. Zuck holds a ‘Hackathon’, an event held by Facebook every few months, lasting anywhere from 24 hours to a few days. Employees across the organization from different locations and teams come together to brainstorm and create something they believe will add to Facebook’s user experience. Many of the company’s most popular products such as the Like Button, News Feed, and Timelines are products of such events.
Make innovation personal! Involve your employees, and give them freedom to create.
Chapter 5: Partnership
Success is a team sport. No one can ever possibly know everything or possess all of the skills necessary to make a dream a reality at a large scale. The most vibrant and fulfilling partnerships are based on a set of philosophies that partners agree upon; 1) Clear Expectations 2) Shared Value & Vision 3) Mutual Trust
4) Fair Exchange of Value 5) Complementary Strengths 6) Commitment 7) Mutual Respect.
Great partnerships that exist: –
– Facebook – Mark Zuckerberg (CEO) and Sheryl Sandberg (Chief Operations Officer)
– Warner Bros – Sam, Albert, Harry, and Jack Warner
– Johnson & Johnson – Robert, James, and Edward Johnson
– Microsoft – Bill Gates and Paul Allen
– Ben & Jerry’s – Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield
