Guy Kawasaki on Innovation, Leadership, and Living Remarkably
What does it mean to live a remarkable life? According to Guy Kawasaki, former chief evangelist of Apple and current evangelist at Canva, it’s much more than success — it’s about embodying grace, humility, and purpose. In his thought-provoking TEDx talk, Kawasaki shares ten lessons drawn from his diverse life in the tech industry, academia, and as a best-selling author. These lessons serve as a guide for innovation, leadership, and living with intention.
1. Experts are clueless
Kawasaki reminds us that the most groundbreaking ideas often emerge from outsiders. Experts, tethered to current systems and norms, can miss what’s possible. His advice? Stay curious, challenge the status quo, and don’t be afraid to think differently.
2. Customers can’t tell you what they need
Innovation starts by anticipating needs customers don’t yet know they have. As Kawasaki puts it, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” Innovators must look beyond feedback to envision future solutions.
3. The biggest challenges lead to the most meaningful work
Kawasaki’s career, from evangelizing Macintosh to revolutionizing design with Canva, demonstrates that tackling hard problems is often the path to doing remarkable work. Embrace challenges—they push both personal and professional growth.
4. Design counts
Design is not just icing on the cake; it’s a core component of every great product. Kawasaki emphasizes that intuitive, beautiful design is what differentiates great ideas from mediocre ones.
5. Value matters more than money
Rather than chasing monetary success, Kawasaki insists on creating meaning. Focus on how your product or service adds real value to people’s lives — the money will follow.
6. A players hire A+ players
Hiring people better than yourself strengthens your team, while hiring down only weakens it. According to Kawasaki, true leaders elevate their organizations by attracting top talent.
7. Real influence comes from helping others succeed
Leadership isn’t about control, but about service. Kawasaki shares that by supporting others and leading with generosity, you create lasting impact and genuine influence.
8. Grace is power
Grace, in Kawasaki’s words, is a superpower that combines humility, kindness, and self-awareness. Leaders who embody grace foster trust, loyalty, and collaborative success.
9. Keep learning
With degrees from Stanford and UCLA, and teaching at UC Berkeley and the University of New South Wales, Kawasaki models lifelong learning. He encourages us to remain intellectually curious and open to growth.
10. Live a remarkable story
Ultimately, Kawasaki challenges us to live stories worth sharing — personally and professionally. By being authentic, bold, and compassionate, we can each create lasting legacies.
Why Book Guy Kawasaki?
Guy Kawasaki brings more than four decades of experience in leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. His keynote talks are both inspirational and actionable, perfect for leadership summits, technology conferences, and corporate strategy sessions. From his early Apple days to launching influential platforms and hosting his podcast “Remarkable People,” Guy engages audiences with credible insights and personal warmth.
Whether you’re aiming to cultivate innovation within your organization or elevate your leadership culture, Guy Kawasaki’s talk delivers timeless, practical wisdom.
Contact us at info@speakersconnect.com to engage Guy Kawasaki for your next conference.