Clay Christensen on Business and Life

Clayton Christensen (1952-2020) pioneered disruption theory, one of the most influential — and misunderstood! — theories that has influenced thinkers and makers in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Whether it was the insight that the next big thing always starts out being dismissed as a “toy” — which Chris Dixon expands on in this 2010 post and in this 2017 animated video; or that disruption theory, which came about in an earlier era of software, was incomplete in terms of focusing on “end-user quality” (from this 2014 @pmarca tweetstorm); or that “jobs to be done” is another framework to use because no theory is perfect (as shared in this 2016 Summit conversation) — Clay has influenced us in countless ways.

But one of the things we remember most is his sharing a personal story on stage with Marc (and Derek Anderson at Startup Grind) in 2016, about why he didn’t break a commitment, even “just one time”:

It turns out that that decision is one of the most important decisions I ever made, because it turns out my whole life has been filled with an unending stream of extenuating circumstances. And if I had said ‘just this once’, the next time it occurred and the next time it’s easier and easier.

And I decided it is easier to hold to our principles a 100% of our time, than it is 98% of the time.

Rest in peace, Clay. Your legacy in business, and life, lives on.

a16z on Clay Christensen…

…on ‘jobs to be done’ and more:

a16z Podcast: Competing Against Luck

…on how it’s competence that causes companies to be disrupted:

a16z Podcast: Disruption in Business… and Life

…on what disruption theory isn’t, and what the data tells us:

https://a16z.com/2015/10/28/what-disruption-theory-is-and-isnt/

…on why the next big thing starts out like a toy:

a16z Video: Why the Next Big Thing Will Look Like a Toy

…on defining and understanding disruption theory:

‘Disruption, Disrupted’: A Roundup

photo credit: Clayton Christensen’s ‘napkin sketch’ for Sonal Chokshi

Contributor

a16z editorial

More From this Contributor

The views expressed here are those of the individual AH Capital Management, L.L.C. (“a16z”) personnel quoted and are not the views of a16z or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources, including from portfolio companies of funds managed by a16z. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, a16z has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. In addition, this content may include third-party advertisements; a16z has not reviewed such advertisements and does not endorse any advertising content contained therein.

This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investors or prospective investors, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by a16z. (An offering to invest in an a16z fund will be made only by the private placement memorandum, subscription agreement, and other relevant documentation of any such fund and should be read in their entirety.) Any investments or portfolio companies mentioned, referred to, or described are not representative of all investments in vehicles managed by a16z, and there can be no assurance that the investments will be profitable or that other investments made in the future will have similar characteristics or results. A list of investments made by funds managed by Andreessen Horowitz (excluding investments for which the issuer has not provided permission for a16z to disclose publicly as well as unannounced investments in publicly traded digital assets) is available at https://a16z.com/investments/.

Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see https://a16z.com/disclosures for additional important information.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

go to top