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If you're looking for thoughtful meets goofy with a tech twist, sign up for my newsletter. Below is a taste of what you'll get. -- "People don’t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it." -Simon Sinek So I was at Synergy Global Forum last week. Speakers included Richard Branson, Jack Welch, Robin Wright, Jimmy Wales. I'm so inspired, I might go start a podcast. Oh wait... Simon Sinek was one of the most highly anticipated speakers. The crowd went wild, circa Madonna 1987. In case you don't know, Sinek is a best-selling author about business and leadership theory. He's the Einstein of modern business- all theory, no practice, and lots of celebrity. He was speaking in big-time metaphors. Connecting the Vietnam War to Apple to modern leadership. "It is our role as leaders to build teams that play the infinite game!" And the crowd goes wild. I was watching a security guard watch this preaching. This guard, about 25 years old and as far removed from tech gospel like 'innovation' and 'disruption' as possible, was incredulous. Every minute, he would turn around and say to no one in particular, "What is this guy talking about?" or "I can't believe people LIKE this!" or, simply, "This is stupid". The dichotomy was comical. On the one hand, 3,000 of the most ambitious and successful people in tech and innovation. In awe at the magnificent widoms. On the other hand, a man who makes his blue-collar living working hard every day. Also in awe, but for a very different reason. Many leaders have taken up Sinek's cry of "Start with the WHY." We build the things we do to 'make the world better!' and 'distribute technology to the people!' It's noble and true and just and looks great in a TED Talk. But 'the people!' whom we are so excited to help call us out on the BS of our theoretical, metaphorical inspiration. They do it to our face. And it's hilarious. So yes, let's build 'for the people!' And let's get inspired by great theorists. But let's get our heads out of the clouds sometimes, because we can come off as real assholes.

If you think this was fun, sign up for the newsletter. It's part philosophy, part humor, part tech. Each newsletter comes with a proprietary rant, a cool startup to watch, some fun articles to read, and a semi-guaranteed laugh.