Jobs Create Impact Too

The speaker reflects on the value and meaning of building businesses, suggesting that creating employment and positive work environments is as meaningful as developing revolutionary products. This perspective emerged from questioning the worth of optimization-focused work.

Key Points:

• Business Value Beyond Products

  • Creating jobs for good people is a worthy goal in itself
  • Providing a great workplace where people want to come to work has inherent value
  • Supporting employees' basic needs (health insurance, family time) is meaningful

• Reframing Success Metrics

  • Not every product needs to "change the world"
  • Building a future for your family is a valid business goal
  • Creating workplace inspiration can be more important than the product itself

• Perspective on Different Types of Impact

  • Some products change lives fundamentally (like Tesla)
  • Other products provide simple entertainment or convenience
  • Both types of impact are valid and valuable

• Personal Impact as a Leader

  • Creating jobs is a form of positive social impact
  • Supporting employees' life goals and stability matters
  • Building something that provides for your family is meaningful

• Balanced View of Business Purpose

  • Products don't need to be revolutionary to be worthwhile
  • Having multiple levels of impact is acceptable
  • The human element of business (jobs, stability, community) has inherent value

This perspective challenges the common Silicon Valley narrative that only world-changing innovations matter, suggesting that creating good jobs and positive work environments is equally valuable.