John Doerr

With proof points from Intel, Google, MapMyFitness, YouTube, Coursera and the ONE Campaign, it's surprising the OKR methodology doesn't have a stronger following. Maybe we're too scattered with multiple objectives further impeded by the superficiality of email and social media. Alternatively, it might be that most leaders think they have focused, crisp objectives. By the standards of Measure What Matters, they don't. OKRs create a hyperfocus on the most important things to do next. I show more appreciate how well this book describes the underpinnings of the concept and then illustrates multiple applications across companies and decades. This book is a definite read, and once exposed, I don't know how an intentional leader could resist at least trying the approach. show less

My very favorite part of this book was the chapter on Elizabeth, her penchant for bad taste in clothing, and buying gift “frocks” for the author from outlet stores, her infectious optimism, and unrivaled grace. An intimate portrait that could have been skipped but humanizes the author and establishes the authenticity of the trust others placed in the author on their political careers. She is the ground on which political careers are built, thrive, and survive. May the future Madam show more President benefit form this time capsule of advice, and redeem the trust, good will, and promise of our democracy. Amen show less

The plan is 5+ stars, but as with his previous book the message is marred by the inclusion of fawning over several unsavory characters (Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, etc.) with somewhat less than favourable track records on social and economic justice issues, and diluted by the glossy marketing case studies touting progress, many of companies to which the author is a significant investor.

Despite those deficiencies, it's still a worthwhile book. The author is an engineer turned business executive show more turned billionaire venture capitalist. The approach is therefore one based on Objectives and Key Results (OKRs, detailed in his first book), with a capitalist's eye towards results-oriented investment and entrepreneurship, and one that is more likely to appeal MBAs and corporate boards.

One can certainly quibble over the details, but the philosophy of defining clear goals and measurable milestones breaks down the target of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 into discrete categories, with tangible metrics for each. There are no vague declarations, just numbers to hit within a certain timeline, and a description of what must be done to achieve them. This methodology works just as well for climate change as it does for quarterly profits; "earn $30M via an increase sales in EMEA by 20% in Q2" becomes "reduce carbon emissions by 1.2 gigatons via a 50% decrease in oil burned for heating by 2035." show less

John Doerr & Ryan Panchadsaram have given us a book about dealing with our climate crisis, one worth reading.
It is glitzy, upbeat, full of boosterism, but has a real plan, based on data and projections, and includes warnings on how hard the plan will be to carry out. It includes estimates and goals in units of gigatons of greenhouse gases and trillions of dollars, as well as effort needed in both technology and politics.
Speed and Scale has an interesting feature, its own highlighting. show more Every other page or so includes red highlights over one or two phrases, phrases that define important points of the plan. So, one way to read this book is to leaf through its pages noting these highlights and stopping to read details as need or interest demands.
It also includes pages of comments by industry leaders, who give their takes on some aspects of our climate problems. These pages come with a gray background, so they can be easily skipped as desired.
There are details to argue about in Speed & Scale, but on the whole this is an important book. show less