Tough Things First

Voted a "top ten Silicon Valley podcast" by both Startup Basecamp and The Six Fifty, and a "top 25 Silicon Valley podcast" by Urban Marketplace. Ray Zinn, Silicon Valley's longest serving CEO, discusses entrepreneurship, leadership, executive management, humanistic business and more. Zinn, a Silicon Valley legend, started Micrel Semiconductor without venture capital, and ran it for 37 years, 36 of those profitably. Zinn's insights in disciplined management, the value in all people, corporate culture and true leadership are guiding lights for anyone working for a better future.

10 episodes

9d ago latest

weekly cadence

English language

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Episodes 10

Repentance: Not Just a Religious Principle
yesterday · 11:20
Most people file repentance under religion and then keep repeating the same expensive mistakes at work, at home, and in the mirror. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks about how it is a leadership skill to own the miss, change course, and make it right. Rob Artigo: Ray, today’s topic is, usually you think of this as […]
Personal Energy Management for Sustained Leadership
5d ago · 12:26
In this Tough Things First podcasts, Ray Zinn discusses treating your own time, health, and focus as strategic assets rather than unlimited resources. Rob Artigo: Today we’re talking about something many leaders treat as an afterthought, but is actually one of the most important disciplines they can ever do, personal energy management. Why should leaders treat their own health and focus […]
Harnessing Work Ethic and Culture
5d ago · 8:38
Businesses that intend to scale need teams of the right people to do it, but is there a difference between a functional team and a team built on work ethic and culture? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says of course the answer is obvious. (Watch Now!) Rob Artigo: Ray, this is a special edition of the Tough Things […]
Beyond Founder-centric Leadership
9d ago · 9:59
The cult of personality can only do so much. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores how to build systems, culture, and next-generation leaders who can carry the vision forward. Rob Artigo: Today, let’s talk about moving beyond founder-centric leadership. How do you build systems, culture, and next generation leaders who can carry on the vision without you […]
Innovation Discipline
9d ago · 9:13
Disciplined, customer-grounded innovation outperforms “move fast and break things.” In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses how to turn ideas into profitable reality without falling for the hype. Rob Artigo: Today, Ray, we’re talking about innovation discipline, how to turn ideas into profitable reality without falling for the hype. So Ray, why does disciplined, customer-grounded innovation consistently outperform the […]
Focus Filter
12d ago · 10:21
A focus filter is for making better decisions like getting rid of good but not great projects, and creating daily rituals that leaders can use to audit their own calendars and team building meetings. Ray Zinn Discusses that a decision tool for alignment with core vision, resource cost, long-term payoff) Rob Artigo: Ray, today we’re discussing a practical tool for […]
Hiring and Developing for Legacy Companies
12d ago · 8:08
How do you attract and grow talent that cares more about becoming better humans than just getting rich? Ray Zinn explores hiring and developing people who build legacy companies. Rob Artigo: Today we’re talking about one of the most important responsibilities for any leader, hiring and developing people who help build legacy companies. Specifically, how do you attract and grow talent […]
Civility
1mo ago · 12:32
Ever wonder why some leaders build unbreakable teams while others fuel endless conflict? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores how true civility comes from one essential skill: seeing through the other person’s eyes—strengthens relationships and drives real business results. (Watch Now!) Rob Artigo: Ray, as you know, a couple of times each month we do a video […]
The Morality Crisis
1mo ago · 8:18
You’ve probably heard people say that morality is declining — but is it really? And what’s the real difference between being a moral person versus an amoral one? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn cuts through the noise with clear thinking on why the distinction matters more than ever. Rob Artigo: Today we’re tackling a foundational but often […]
Demystifying “Trust But Verify”
1mo ago · 10:37
You have heard it said many times, but most people get it wrong. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn uses smart business logic not magic to demystifying the proverb “Trust But Verify.” Rob Artigo: I’m Rob Artigo, joined once again with Ray, as you’ve just heard his voice right there, founder, longtime CEO at Micrel Semiconductor for 37 profitable […]

Episodes

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Tough Things First

Episodes 10

Repentance: Not Just a Religious Principle

Personal Energy Management for Sustained Leadership

Harnessing Work Ethic and Culture

Beyond Founder-centric Leadership

Innovation Discipline

Focus Filter

Hiring and Developing for Legacy Companies

Civility

The Morality Crisis

Demystifying “Trust But Verify”

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Episodes 10

Repentance: Not Just a Religious Principle

Personal Energy Management for Sustained Leadership

Harnessing Work Ethic and Culture

Beyond Founder-centric Leadership

Innovation Discipline

Focus Filter

Hiring and Developing for Legacy Companies

Civility

The Morality Crisis

Demystifying “Trust But Verify”

Podcast 森辺一樹のグローバル・マーケティング〜すべてはアジアで売るために〜