Chris Cox, Meta CPO
Make the most useful thing for the most people
We had the privilege of hosting the one and only Chris Cox, a true luminary who’s built and currently leads some of the most important platforms that are used by billions of people daily – Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and now Threads and Llama. “Product visionary”, “zen master”, “absolute badass + great person”, “charisma”, and “humility”, are some of the words one can use to try and describe Chris. He is one of the most thoughtful and grounded people we’ve ever met.
Billions of people across the globe use products that Chris leads, and he has helped connect the world in ways unimaginable. From reel and meme sharing with my family and friends on Instagram to connecting with my second aunt on Facebook to chatting with my family on WhatsApp daily, and now Threads – a public town hall that actually fosters constructive discourse. I couldn’t be more confident of the person leading the products that affect our social fabric.
Chris is a public leader so we won't go into much detail about anything Meta-related but all I can say is I’m excited for consumer social and I’m sure everyone who attended is. However, Chris had a lot of life / career lessons we can share.
On learning
Chris leaves a lot of time in his week just for learning (he’s really good at saying no in a gracious way). He mentioned that people who run large things are great at managing their calendars. Understanding how you allocate your time and who you spend your time with is super important.
Whenever someone asks you to do something, pretend it’s tomorrow. That trick is really useful because you’re using your body to do it, not just procrastinating your decision.
If you have time, read ravenously. He loves the histories of companies. Nintendo is his favorite company.
He got into the skill of listening to podcasts while running — unlocking an hour where he could learn and run. He shouted out “The Acquired Podcast”.
Spend a lot of time talking to the best people in the company who are not senior. Networking — can be annoying but important. He spends a lot of time networking and hearing how the best people think about certain topics. Using networking as a tool to learn about things from people.
Just do it
Chris's life philosophy resonates with Nike's iconic slogan—“Just do it!” He exemplifies this through his past experiences, like his college expedition leadership training, where he developed a strong sense of teamwork. His willingness to tackle any task, no matter how menial, sets a commendable standard. When there were jobs that needed to be done at Facebook he would just do it. Traditionally trained as an engineer, he took on HR, finance, and all the other functions an organization can have.
Product Lesson: “Make the most useful thing for the most people”
The significance of building something that caters to the majority of people transcends the recognition of being the first in a field, as evidenced by the obscure origins of the first console or phone. Often, product leaders become overly attached to their own vision, which can diverge from users' genuine desires—those unspoken yet essential needs. Every product possesses its own distinct characteristics, necessitating an acute awareness of its unique rhythm and dynamics. This awareness is particularly vital when crafting mass-market offerings, where varied geographies and regions introduce socio-cultural complexities that must be deeply comprehended when creating consumer social products. These complexities manifest a product like Instagram / Facebook in different ways in different regions of the world. It’s super important to understand this.
“Lead with who you are”
For a leader, the utmost priority lies in embracing one's authentic self—the core essence of who they are and their unique qualities. Chris perceives a skilled leader as someone who comprehends their individual identity and embodies it. Notably, he steers clear of being overly aggressive, instead gravitating towards a more genuine approach. His focus centers on crafting high-quality products, fostering relationships, and maintaining a strong connection with those around him. A pivotal aspect of leadership is cultivating healthy relationships with both peers and managers while excelling in managerial roles. Ultimately, leaders who lead with authenticity and embrace their true selves stand out as exemplars in their field.
Balance your vision with others
Chris is a big fan of Ed Catmull and he firmly advocates for an approach of candidness and support when working with leaders, akin to sharing the truth with a movie director in a way that doesn't harm their vision or hinder progress. He emphasizes the importance of expressing a perspective while ensuring that individuals retain creative ownership and autonomy. This delicate balance fosters collaboration and innovation, allowing for constructive input without stifling the originality and potential of others.
Grounding and being present unlocks superhuman power
Chris is an avid meditator and mindfulness savant. He begins each day with meditation and credits his clarity of mind and energy to it. He urges everyone to try it and couple it with simple healthy habits like eating well, exercising, and cutting alcohol. Chris also mentioned something that touched our hearts – simple acts of service that he does for his family. He highlighted the importance of those simple acts each day in helping strengthen his connection with his family while also serving as a meditative practice. This goes without saying but Chris is truly one of those people that have figured out life.
We’re fortunate to have spent time with Chris! He’s a special person, in every aspect of it. A role model of what it means to be a person, leader, and visionary.
Join us for our next dinner!
Special thanks to Aiden Low for taking notes!