Several years ago, I interviewed Robert Maynard, co-founder of LifeLock and SurchX, in an interview originally published in Thrive Global. Here is an excerpt from our interview:
Adam: Having experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows, what advice do you have on managing both?
Robert: The lows were physically painful and were very tough to manage. Until recently, I’d just vanish during depressive episodes. I couldn’t get out of bed which made me pretty undependable. The highs were great – until I ran out of money. I didn’t manage either of them terribly well. But I guess I am resilient, because a constellation of miracles has given me another chance.
I was originally diagnosed with Major Depression, which was why I underwent ECT. It was the side effects of the electroshock treatment – mainly the mania – that led doctors to my Bipolar diagnosis. I was 40 years old. The most important thing people need to know is that this is a deadly, tragic illness with a mortality higher than many cancers. It is not a personality defect. My advice? Get the best treatment possible, and don’t stop until you are stabilized.
Adam: LifeLock has had its fair share of ups and downs as well. What is your best lesson from your LifeLock experience?
Robert: Do the right thing, no matter how hard it is.
Adam: What are your biggest takeaways from your time in jail?
Robert: That happened during a mania, while I was undergoing ECT (electroshock therapy). One of the primary side effects of ECT is something called retrograde amnesia – basically short-term memory loss of events leading up to and during treatment. I went to Las Vegas and took out a marker from the Mirage and I did not pay it back. Because I was in treatment at the time, I have no memory of this episode. When I was arrested, I thought my identity had been stolen, which had happened to me before. I am now convinced that I did it. I paid the marker and all charges were dropped.
Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader?
Robert: Creating and growing more leaders. Hire the right people, enable them to lead, and then get out of the way. You can’t grow a fault-tolerant, resilient company without creating leaders from the people you have hired.
Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Robert:
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Study. Leadership is a skill and it must be learned, practiced, and honed.
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Humble yourself. It is the humble leader who is effective.
Adam: What is your best advice on building, managing, and leading teams?
Robert: Systems are managed. People are led. This is my core leadership approach, which comes from the Marines and the Army, where I spent time in Special Forces. I work hard to earn my leadership every day because I know that employees who are managed go home at 5:00, but teams that are led break down all barriers.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?
Robert:
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Don’t ask for anything you’re not willing to give.
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Commit to rigorous honesty at all times.
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The more people you lead, the more you serve.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Robert: Do what you should, not what you can.
Adam: How can anyone pay it forward?
Robert: Keep in mind there is a larger purpose for your life than making people money. Find, pursue, and defend that purpose.
