One good test for determining whether to go with outside experience versus internal promotion is to figure out whether you value inside knowledge or … - Ben Horowitz

Asking yourself, “Do I value internal or external knowledge more for this position?” will help you determine whether to go for experience or youth.

My single biggest personal improvement as CEO occurred on the day when I stopped being too positive.

There were lots of companies in the ’90s that had launch parties but no landing parties.

Parcells: “Al, I am just not sure how we can win without so many of our best players. What should I do?” Davis: “Bill, nobody cares, just coach your team.” That might be the best CEO advice ever. Because, you see, nobody cares. When things go wrong in your company, nobody cares. The media don’t care, your investors don’t care, your board doesn’t care, your employees don’t care, and even your mama doesn’t care. Nobody cares. And they are right not to care. A great reason for failing won’t preserve one dollar for your investors, won’t save one employee’s job, or get you one new customer. It especially won’t make you feel one bit better when you shut down your company and declare bankruptcy. All the mental energy you use to elaborate your misery would be far better used trying to find the one seemingly impossible way out of your current mess. Spend zero time on what you could have done, and devote all of your time on what you might do. Because in the end, nobody cares; just run your company.