Dan Rose - Coatue, Facebook / Meta, Amazon

Lessons on Greatness and Partnerships

A few days ago, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting the legendary Dan Rose. Immediately when you first meet Dan, you understand why he’s special, and even more so how humble and warm he is. 

Dan’s had the ride of a lifetime and has helped build companies that today boast a cumulative market cap of ~$2T. From being on the Amazon rocketship alongside Jeff Bezos, to scaling the juggernaut that is Facebook / Meta alongside Mark and Sheryl, and now leading the iconic Coatue Ventures alongside the Laffont brothers. Dan’s seen it all, and has done it all. There were so many lessons, but here are a few:  

Partnerships thrive on listening: 

Listen listen. It doesn’t matter if you’re forging personal relationships or striking multi-billion dollar partnerships, the ability to listen attentively is the most vital quality one can possess. Dan listened. Whether it was during the Amazon days when Dan was trying to bring book publishers onto the Kindle, or when he was striking media partnerships or leading acquisitions (Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.) at Facebook. He listened first, and understood the needs of the people on the other side. It’s such a critical skill that few prioritize. 

Play your position 

Everything is a team sport, and the best teams consist of individuals who excel in their respective domains. The key to building an insurmountable advantage lies in assembling a team of individuals who possess complementary expertise and continually hone their craft. This principle is evident in sports dynasties and the leadership teams of all-star companies. At Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg epitomized the product visionary, Sheryl Sandberg exemplified operational genius, and Dan Rose himself shone as the partnership legend. Dan knew early on that he was really good at partnerships, and with every rep, he got better and better. Find what you’re good at, and find your team. 

Product is Strategy 

Dan had a front-row seat to two of the defining companies of our era – Amazon and Meta. In the world of tech, exceptional companies drive their vision and success through innovative products, not abstract strategy. The best founders and CEOs obsess over every detail, push for simplicity and relentlessly execute. Let the product be the star, keep it focused, and unlock the true potential of your company.

Founders are the best CEOs

Founders possess a distinctive blend of vision, passion, and deep product understanding, affording them an unparalleled advantage in guiding companies toward triumph. Their unwavering dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and ability to drive innovation are unparalleled. Dan witnessed this firsthand with luminaries such as Jeff and Mark, and now with the founders he partners with at Coatue.

Trust your gut 

When Dan dropped out of business school to join Amazon, all his peers thought that it was a bad decision. His peers were almost right after Amazon’s stock tanked a few years after Dan joined. But Dan knew in his gut that Jeff Bezos was special. Fast forward a couple of years, he decided to take a pay cut and moved his young family to join a startup led by a 22-year-old. Again, his peers thought it was a bad idea. But he knew Mark Zuckerberg was special. Some might call it luck but he was right twice and followed his gut. Oftentimes we follow the herd (sometimes rightfully so) and place undue weight on the opinions of others, however when you know in your gut that something’s the right decision – go for it. In the mid-2000s, Dan witnessed first-hand Jeff Bezos's decision to launch both Kindle and AWS simultaneously, while the prevailing sentiment suggested that Amazon should solely focus on its retail business. But Jeff knew in his gut that this was Amazon’s defining moment. He followed his gut. Follow yours. 

When times a hard, find your North Star

Dan has weathered his fair share of difficult moments. He witnessed Amazon's market cap plummet by 95% during the early 2000s, and had a front-row seat to all of Facebook's woes. Throughout all the chaos, Dan kept his focus on his north star. During our conversation, the book "Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frankl emerged as a topic of discussion. Dan urges everyone to discover their purpose because, when hope seems lost and chaos prevails, our "why" becomes our sole anchor.

The importance of vulnerability

When Dan was on the brink of being promoted to the leadership team at Facebook by Sheryl Sandberg, a 360 performance review shook him to his core. His team and peers perceived him as political and untrustworthy, a revelation that caught him completely off guard. Most individuals would either accept such feedback or make excuses. However, over the following months, Dan proactively reached out to every single person, allowing himself to be vulnerable, and delved into their insights to learn more about his blind spots. As he candidly shares, "It was uncomfortable," but he knew it was necessary because one can only change what one can perceive. By embracing vulnerability, Dan paved the path for personal growth. Several years later, he shared this story with his entire organization, demonstrating that leadership necessitates vulnerability.

Spending time with the legendary Dan Rose was an absolute pleasure, and his insights left an indelible mark. Dan, we’re forever grateful!