Скачать или смотреть S4E17 : Alok Sama on Being SoftBank CFO, Masa's investment style, India & AI, CEO Superpowers & more

What if playing it safe is the real courage in entrepreneurship?

In Barbershop’s latest episode, Shantanu sits down with Alok Sama (Writer & Investor) to explore what truly makes a CEO great. It’s not just about flashy risks, but staying humble and adapting as things change.

How Alok brought his first book ‘The Money Trap’ to life, and how getting a degree in Master of Fine Arts, from NYU at 58 proves that growth has no age.

Key Takeaways:
Leadership is as much about humility and adaptability as bold risks.
AI and disruptive tech are shaking things up, but also raise questions on creativity and originality.
India’s startup scene faces unique socio-economic challenges alongside fresh growth chances.
How and why to go back to school if you feel a passion strongly.

So, Alok’s story exhibits that sometimes fortune favours the unexpected. Join us, and maybe you will see your professional path a little more differently in the aftermath.

Also, if you’d like to join our next conversation as live audience, sign up here: https://forms.gle/yF6Rzr9NRheKRoV98

Navigate the episode

00:00 Coming Up
01: 17 Introduction
2:30 Top CEOs in Alok’s views
7:44 Comparing CEOs' operating styles: global vs Indian leaders
11:14 Billionaire behaviour: insecurity or personal quirk?
14:40 How do visionary CEOs adapt and grow?
17:30 From Instagram to ChatGPT: Alok on AI
24:44 Top CEO behaviours: founder vs manager?
31:11 Alok on Indian founders and tech evolution
42:53 Alok’s take on the tariff situation
44:00 Indian conglomerates in US: capital drives disruption?
49:31 India’s middle class: unemployment and consumption issues
53:35 Risk-taking: entrepreneur or investor, Alok?
58:27 Alok on MFA, writing, and nonfiction passion
1:03:06 Money Trap duration and AI’s originality threat
1:07:48 Living and investing: Alok’s India perspective
1:18:14 Closing Thoughts