Ben Horowitz

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Managing CEO psychology

  “By far the most difficult skill I learned as a C.E.O. was the ability to manage my own psychology.”

  Our noteBen discusses the hardest skill to master as a chief executive.

• Internal mental control

  “Organizational design, process design, metrics, hiring and firing were all relatively straightforward skills to master compared with keeping my mind in check.”

  Our noteBen compares technical management skills with the difficulty of mental discipline.

• Difficult right choices

  “In life, everybody faces choices between doing what's popular, easy, and wrong vs. doing what's lonely, difficult, and right.”

  Our noteBen reflects on the moral choices leaders face.

• Building organizational courage

  “Every time you make the hard, correct decision you become a bit more courageous and every time you make the easy, wrong decision you become a bit more cowardly.”

  Our noteBen explains how individual CEO choices shape the company's character.

• Questioning inaction

  “Note to self: It's a good idea to ask, 'What am I not doing?”

  Our noteBen shares a self-reflection technique for leaders.

• Dangers of shortcuts

  “Following conventional wisdom and relying on shortcuts can be worse than knowing nothing at all.”

  Our noteBen warns against relying on conventional wisdom in business.