I’ve never given a commencement speech, but if I did, I’d run through my mottos and explain what they mean and who I stole them from, and how they are a distillation of what I’ve learned in life. The one I’d mention first, which isn’t even on the freaking list, is this one — “People don’t listen to friends, they listen to competitors.” What that means is if you want someone to add a feature, you have to do two things. Implement their whole product. Add the things you want them to add. And win. If you don’t win it doesn’t matter how good your idea is. This is the hoop you have to jump through to get them to listen to your idea. Knowing this, I have tried to listen even when I don’t feel like a friend is competing. Ideas from people who know your product, no matter how they got it, are people who can help. This was one of the values of a core part of Apple in the early-mid 80s, and I owe my success in tech to them, because the ideas they gave me put us over the top. Jean-Louis Gassée and Guy Kawasaki. I don’t think they ever competed with me. Another thing I like about them. 😉 #