In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen

Bill Winters, Group CEO of Standard Chartered, a leader in banking across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He speaks about rebuilding a complex bank after crisis. He explains the connector-bank model and client mix. He discusses regulatory trust, geopolitics and the risks of fragmented financial systems. He also touches on digital assets, AI and his leadership style driven by curiosity and empathy.

Bill Winters, Group CEO of Standard Chartered and seasoned global banker, offers a crisp tour of geopolitics, global banking hubs and rebuilding a complex bank after crisis. He explores blockchain as the future plumbing for securities and payments. He also discusses AI’s operational impact, the bank’s connector role across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and leadership lessons on culture and risk.

Mala Gaonkar, founder of SurgoCap Partners and a former partner at Lone Pine Capital, shares her insights on identifying great businesses with durable competitive advantages. She discusses the impact of old technologies on new disruptions and how AI is revolutionizing healthcare. Mala emphasizes the importance of a focused investment strategy, including the use of data science to mitigate cognitive biases. She also reflects on the emotional challenges of shorting stocks and the need for diversity in the investment field.

Mala Gaonkar, founder of SurgoCap Partners and former partner at Lone Pine Capital, dives into the art of identifying businesses with strong competitive advantages. She discusses the disruptive potential of old technologies and her unique approach of maintaining a small investment team to enhance collaboration. Candid stories reveal lessons learned from shorting Nokia and the early sale of NVIDIA. Additionally, she reflects on balancing a thriving career with creative writing and philanthropy, showcasing how curiosity and systemic thinking drive her success.

Dylan Field, the visionary founder and CEO of Figma, started his groundbreaking design platform as a teenager and navigated it to a successful IPO. In this brief conversation, he explores the evolution of digital design and its role in shaping competitive advantage. He discusses the interplay of AI and human taste, highlighting the unique judgment humans bring to creativity. Dylan also shares insights into his leadership style, emphasizing kindness and directness to nurture innovation in teams.

Dylan Field, founder and CEO of Figma, shares insights on building the influential design platform since he was 19. He discusses how AI is reshaping creativity and emphasizes the importance of community engagement in design. Field also explores Figma's core principles of simplicity and mastery and explains the significance of taste in design. He reflects on the evolving tech landscape, leadership strategies, and the need for a growth mindset while encouraging young people to connect passion with a positive impact.

Michael Bloomberg, entrepreneur and former mayor of New York City, shares insights from his remarkable career. He discusses his journey from Wall Street to founding Bloomberg LP, emphasizing his innovative creation of the Bloomberg Terminal. Bloomberg reveals his relentless work ethic and discusses the impact of his mayoral policies on health and education. He opens up about his philanthropic approach, focusing on education and health, while reflecting on the importance of legacy and giving back. At 83, his passion for continual improvement shines through.

Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and former NYC mayor, shares his incredible journey of building a financial empire and transforming a city. He discusses the innovative spark behind the Bloomberg Terminal and emphasizes the importance of outworking competition. Bloomberg reflects on his public service achievements in health and education, while highlighting his philanthropic efforts like funding global health initiatives and improving gun laws. At 83, his commitment to lifelong learning and giving back remains unwavering.

Jayshree Ullal, CEO of Arista Networks and veteran networking executive, shares her remarkable journey from electrical engineer to tech leader. She discusses how Arista is redefining high-performance networks for AI, likening them to highways that optimize chip utilization. Ullal contrasts today’s rapid AI infrastructure growth with the slower internet expansion she witnessed at Cisco. She highlights the values that shaped Arista's success, emphasizing a culture of integrity and innovation, driven by her parents' high expectations.

Jayshree Ullal, CEO of Arista Networks, shares her journey from electrical engineer to leading a crucial player in AI networking. She discusses how Arista's high-performance infrastructure supports the demanding needs of AI, emphasizing that power constraints, not hardware, are today's biggest challenge. Ullal highlights the evolution of networking toward AI-specific needs and explains the difference between AI and traditional cloud traffic. She also reflects on Arista's growth, its customer-focused culture, and the importance of adaptability in this fast-paced tech landscape.