Sam Altman, a prominent figure in the technology and artificial intelligence sectors, recently offered enduring entrepreneurial advice on the importance of assertiveness and resilience in the face of adversity. This guidance, originally shared in a 2016 video from Y Combinator, where Altman previously served as president, underscores key lessons he learned throughout his career, which remain highly relevant today given his leadership at OpenAI.
Altman emphasized the critical need for entrepreneurs to "ask for what you want." He stated, > "You will get told no a lot, but sometimes it will work. And I think you see a lot of entrepreneurs shoot themselves in the foot because they don’t ask that person to quit their job and come join them. They don’t ask this big company to do a deal with them. And they’re just not aggressive enough.” This philosophy highlights that a willingness to face rejection is fundamental for achieving significant breakthroughs in business.
He further elaborated on navigating challenges, noting that each subsequent crisis tends to feel less daunting. Altman explained, > “There are a lot things that really go wrong, and they feel like company-killing events. And they feel like there’s no way you’re going to survive because the crises are really bad. And the thing you learn is that you generally do survive these and the world doesn’t usually end.” This perspective on resilience has been particularly pertinent to his recent experiences.
As CEO of OpenAI, a company valued at approximately $157 billion, Altman has navigated significant corporate upheavals, including his brief ousting and subsequent reinstatement in late 2023, and recent high-profile executive departures. These events underscore the real-world application of his advice on enduring crises. The company is also reportedly discussing a major shift to a for-profit structure, which could see Altman receive his first equity stake in OpenAI, potentially around 7%.
This potential equity stake, a significant development for a CEO who previously held no ownership in the company he leads, aligns with his long-standing advice on being aggressive and asking for what one wants. Altman's journey from Y Combinator president to leading one of the world's most impactful AI companies demonstrates the practical value of his entrepreneurial insights, proving that persistence and a bold approach are crucial for success in the dynamic tech landscape.