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From Resignation to Revolution at OpenAI

Bromance and boardroom battles — decoding the drama behind it all

Author

Tim He
September 08, 2024 • Est. Reading Time: 4 minutes

TL;DR

Hey, I’m Tim! ☕

This really made me think of the movie 300.

There’s just something so satisfying and motivating about a team of people really, truly rallying behind their leader because they’d do the same.

Doesn’t that just get you pumped?

Here’s the one thing to remember: crisis can reveal the cracks that success masks.

First time reading? Sign up here.

Let’s get into it ⤵

DEEP DIVE

“A lot of people ask me what the ideal cofounder looks like. I now have an answer: Greg Brockman” — Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.

Brockman Bromance

  • Sam Altman's ousting as OpenAI CEO was comparable in scale only to when Steve Jobs was fired by Apple.

  • The board was at odds with Sam’s leadership, although the exact reasons remain shrouded in widespread speculation.

  • Cofounder Greg Brockman quit in protest upon hearing the news. He wasn’t going to do OpenAI without Sam.

  • 723 out of 778 employees (93%) subsequently threatened to resign if Sam and Greg weren’t reinstated.

Actionable Advice

  • Loyalty only exists when you’re being tested. Greg’s actions (quitting) and words (posting about it on Twitter) proved his loyalty.

  • When the parents are united, the kids feel secure taking even the wildest risks. Same for cofounders and employees.

  • Crisis can reveal hidden strengths. Conversely, success can mask underlying issues with your cofoundership.

Psst… enjoying this? Share this link with a friend. You could save a cofoundership.

TIM’S TAKE

Candid Comments

  • The board underestimated the cofoundership. Firing Sam was like trying to swap out the engine of a jet mid-flight.

  • If Greg hadn’t quit on the spot, the other 700+ employees wouldn’t have either. Talk about domino effects.

  • I don’t think many companies could have handled a loyalty test like that. Can yours?

Related Resources

  • Read about their bromance in Sam’s own words in this blog post.

  • Crank up this song by Kodaline. It’s what I imagine Sam and Greg cracking a cold one to.

  • Want to have a cofoundership like theirs? Hit the road and go on a roadtrip together.

LAST LOOK

Make sure your cofounder sees this — either pass it along or get them to subscribe. A solid relationship takes everyone's effort.

Looking for a cofounder coach? Hit reply.

PS: With so much drama happening so quickly, there’s bound to be a part two coming soon.

Tim He
Founder & CEO