#003 Pablo Rodriguez, Entrepreneur and Computer Scientist - Moonshots & Innovation - a podcast by Ann Hiatt

In this episode of Bet On Yourself we are talking with Pablo Rodriguez who is not only an entrepreneur, business executive, and computer scientist; he is recognized as a creative leader and visionary.

Pablo is currently an ambassador and advisor to X, formerly known as Google [X], which is Google’s moonshot factory (where they work on projects like driverless cars).

Prior to Google, Pablo was the founding CEO of Europe's first Moonshot Factory, called Alpha for the Spanish telco Telefonica - which is incidentally where Pablo and I first met just after I moved from Silicon Valley to Spain.

Pablo has worked at several Silicon Valley startups, at Microsoft Research in Cambridge, and at Bell Labs in New Jersey. He’s written more than 150 scientific publications and has 30 patents. He’s a very busy guy!

Pablo is passionate about organisations coming together to solve humanity’s biggest problems, through technology and using moonshot thinking to unveil what he believes will ultimately lead to a world where ideas are a valued currency.

In this episode we discuss the concept of Moonshots, why they are becoming a pervasive practice beyond just Silicon Valley, and how to stay motivated when “failure” is a core part of the moonshot process. We also discuss how to build teams for innovation, as well as how the pandemic lockdown has generally affected entrepreneurship and risk taking - including in some unexpected ways.

This episode has practical advice for anyone - regardless of your experience with or tolerance for moonshot risk taking! This concept applies more to your everyday life than you might expect!

Prepare to be inspired!

Minute by Minute Summary

02:55: What was your very first job?

04:30: what inspired your original interest in computers?

09:40: You’ve worked in many different countries, what are the differences you’ve seen in technology and tolerance for moonshot thinking?

13:45: Can you walk us through what a moonshot is?

21:30: How would you break down moonshots for ‘’normal people’’? What are some of the best practices that can be adopted?

30:00: what do you think are the pro’s and con’s of being an innovator within a set up corporate environment?

35:00: How do you know when you’re getting it right? How do you know when to listen to your advisers and how do you know to just listen to your gut?

39:00: How do you as a leader align your team with your plan?

44:00: What have you seen in the entrepreneur space during the covid-19 crisis, more or less risk-taking?

48:00: What gives you hope for the future?

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