Management & Leadership

“I actually stay in the details,” Chesky told me. “CEOs at S&P 500, Fortune 100 companies, I think most of them aren't really in the details of their product. At some point, these companies get so big, that it's pretty typical that you get a little detached, that it's someone else's job to listen to customers. But it's not your job. And I've always... See more

According to Ken Chenault, the legendary former CEO of American Express and current chairman of venture firm General Catalyst, the job of a leader is to deliver on two sometimes conflicting mandates: creating hope, and defining reality.

Remember: You'll be left with an empty feeling if you hit the finish line alone. When you run a race as a team, though, you'll discover that much of the reward comes from hitting the tape together. You want to be surrounded not just by cheering onlookers but by a crowd of winners, celebrating as one.