The Intersection of People and Success: Lessons from Figma and Stripe

The Intersection of People and Success: Lessons from Figma and Stripe

Introduction:
In the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley, success is a delicate balance of skill, luck, execution, and timing. However, at the heart of it all is the importance of people. The way individuals treat others, the connections they make, and the relationships they build can have a significant impact on their journey towards success. In this article, we will explore the lessons we can learn from two prominent companies - Figma and Stripe - and how their approaches to people and relationships have shaped their paths to success.

The Power of Authentic Connections:
When evaluating potential investments, angel investors like myself look for a strong, authentic connection between a founder and the product they are building. This connection goes beyond the surface level and delves into the founder's intelligence, trustworthiness, and ambition. It is through these authentic connections that individuals can find their best opportunities, often from someone who may not hold a higher position in power and hierarchy. Every school, job, and company provides an opportunity to connect with people, and it is essential to recognize that everyone has something valuable to offer and teach.

Lessons from Figma: Embracing a New Generation's Perspective:
Figma, a design and prototyping tool, emphasizes the importance of avoiding hierarchy and embracing the insights of young engineers. In a rapidly changing landscape, these young engineers bring fresh perspectives and can identify opportunities that even the most experienced professionals may miss. By working together and avoiding the destructive HiPPO anti-pattern (the highest paid person's opinion), Figma fosters an environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. This open-mindedness towards new ideas and approaches has allowed Figma to thrive and stay ahead of the curve.

Lessons from Stripe: Building Relationships and Persistence:
Stripe, a leading online payment processing platform, understands the power of relationships and persistence. The founders initially drew inspiration from Slicehost, a hosting provider, and sought to build a similar platform for payments. By leveraging their connections within the startup community, Stripe was able to gain early users and generate buzz. However, the journey to success was not without challenges. Stripe faced scaling issues, technology deployments, and tough situations. But it was their ability to react, persist, and take the time to hire great people that set them apart. Stripe's emphasis on finding the right people, even if it took longer than expected, played a crucial role in their growth and success.