Ignorance is to Knowledge as Foolishness is to Wisdom.
For the past couple of decades, business magazines have fawned over the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world because, as Zuck suggested, "Young people are just smarter."
However, what's noticeable is how many of the Forbes' 30 Under 30 annual list are heading to jail. Young entrepreneurs like Sam Bankman-Fried, Caroline Ellison, Charlie Javice, Martin "Pharma Bro" Shkreli, Trevor Milton, Elizabeth Holmes, and more. I don't take joy in writing this. I just wish each of these Millennials had a modern elder by their side to offer some wisdom to their foolishness.
Tech entrepreneur Chris Bakke tweeted that the Forbes 30 Under 30 has raised $5.3 billion in funding and has been arrested for frauds and scams worth over $18.5 billion. The "fake it till you make it" culture of the Valley seems to wash these folks of their consciences (and their shareholder's money).
I can say from experience that being the in-house mentor to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky gave me hope that tech founders can find their elders and create a symbiotic relationship with them. So many young entrepreneurs need to microwave their emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and organizational ethics to stay in business and out of jail.
You might enjoy this Commonwealth Club fireside chat that Brian and I did (with Julie Hanna moderating) five years ago. It may give you some hope that a new generational compact may be emerging in the workplace.
P.S. I appreciate that the world’s most famous biohacker Dave Asprey asked me to be on his “The Human Upgrade” podcast. Hope you enjoy this episode which includes me giving college advice to his 13-year-old son.
