The Enduring Wisdom of Bill Campbell: Why "It's the People" Still Reigns in Tech and Leadership , What it Takes to Be a Good Coach

In a world reeling from constant change and uncertainty, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest buzzwords, AI innovations, or market shifts. But what if the most powerful message for navigating these turbulent times comes from a principle decades old, championed by a man who built Silicon Valley’s giants? If Bill Campbell, the legendary “Trillion Dollar Coach,” were alive today, I believe his core message would resonate louder than ever: “It’s the people.”

Throughout my journey in tech, I’ve seen firsthand how sometime we can lose sight of this fundamental truth. Yet, as Bill demonstrated time and again, great people are the bedrock of any successful enterprise. They thrive in environments that spark good energy, foster collaboration, and genuinely invest in their individual growth. We’re in a challenging era, demanding our absolute best, whether that means working from a high-rise office or your living room. The essence of leadership, now more than ever, is about empowering those around you.

Bill Campbell: The Coach Who Built Silicon Valley’s Trillion-Dollar Legacy

Anyone who dives into the pages of Trillion Dollar Coach will emerge with a singular, profound takeaway: a truly great coach is indispensable to a company’s success. And Bill Campbell? He was, in every sense of the word, one hell of a guy.

Often called the “Coach of Silicon Valley,” Campbell was the quiet force behind the astronomical success of companies like Google, Apple, and Intuit, directly contributing to the creation of over a trillion dollars in market value. He wasn’t just a business leader; he was a mentor to visionaries like Steve Jobs, Larry Page, and Eric Schmidt. When he passed in 2016, he left behind a remarkable legacy of not only growing companies and successful people but also an abundance of genuine friendship, profound respect, and undeniable love.

To ensure his wisdom continued to inspire future generations of leaders, Eric Schmidt, Alan Eagle, and Jonathan Rosenberg meticulously codified Bill’s principles in Trillion Dollar Coach. This book isn’t just a business manual; it’s a testament to his unique approach, filled with real-world stories from the people he worked with and, yes, played with. Before his stellar business career, Campbell was indeed the head coach of the Columbia Lions football team—a role that clearly shaped his people-first philosophy.

My Top 3 Leadership Gems from Trillion Dollar Coach

Trillion Dollar Coach is packed with hidden gems—stories, practical tips, and timeless coaching techniques that transcend the traditional business playbook. After immersing myself in his philosophy, these three principles stand out as universally applicable, especially for leaders in product and technology aiming for market success:

It's the People.

This isn't just a catchy phrase; it's Campbell's foundational belief. The top priority of any manager must be the well-being and success of their team. This means actively supporting them with the right tools, information, and coaching, respecting their unique career aspirations and life choices, and trusting them to make decisions and excel. In today's dynamic tech landscape, where talent is paramount, fostering an environment where individuals feel supported, respected, and trusted is key to innovation and execution.

Only Coach the Coachable.

While Campbell was incredibly generous with his time and insights, he understood that not everyone is ready to receive coaching. The traits he sought in "coachable" individuals are essential for anyone looking to grow in their career: honesty and humility, a relentless willingness to persevere and work hard, and a constant openness to learning. When building high-performing product and go-to-market teams, identifying and nurturing these qualities is crucial.

Be the Evangelist for Courage.

Campbell didn't just believe in people; he believed in them more than they believed in themselves. He pushed them to be more courageous, to take calculated risks, and to step into uncomfortable spaces that ultimately led to massive growth. As leaders, especially in fast-paced tech environments, our role is to inspire this courage. We need to create a psychologically safe space where teams feel empowered to innovate, challenge the status quo, and launch groundbreaking products, even when the path is uncertain.

I never had the opportunity to meet Bill Campbell, but after reading Trillion Dollar Coach, I find myself echoing Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube: “Whenever I have a tough decision to make, I think about Bill. What would he do?”

Today, in this era of unprecedented change, I believe his answer would be clear: Think about the well-being of your people. Because when you invest in your people, you’re investing in your company’s enduring success.

This is a personal blog. Any views or opinions represented in this blog are personal and belong solely to the blog author and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the author may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated.