Bob Metcalfe: The Inventor Of Ethernet On A Lifetime Of Connections

Bob Metcalfe, the godfather of ethernet and namesake of Metcalfe’s Law, knows a bit about networking. His perspective on how connected nodes come together to form a whole greater than the sum of its parts is well-earned after a 50+ year career stretching back to the salad days of Xerox PARC. Hear Bob offer timeless advice on building relationships, making connections, and the value of helping others succeed.

---

“I was late to this, but you got to learn how to sell. In the course of learning how to sell you have to learn how to communicate, and the way you communicate is to listen. Listening is the secret to communication, which is the secret to selling.”- Bob Metcalfe 

---

Episode Timestamps: 

*(02:13) - Bob’s accidental visit to David Rockefeller’s office, and discovering the Rolodex

*(05:18) - Bob’s connection to his most famous mentor Steve Jobs 

*(06:49) - Turing a no in to a long term relationship with Steve Jobs

*(08:34) - The importance of providing value to people 

*(09:20) - Listening is the secret to communication 

*(11:23) - The secret of happiness is enthusiasm

*(13:02) - Bob’s time mentoring as a professor of innovation at the University of Texas

*16:27) -  How Bob’s conference Agenda helpled him secure relationships with Bill Gates and others in the personal computing industry

*(20:53) - Sincerity is a key ingredient to success

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whogotmehere.substack.com