Zak Dychtwald: Cut Throat

Zak Dychtwald is the founder and CEO of BridgeWorks Global and author of the critically acclaimed book, Young China. He runs a cross-geography collaboration lab, helping people in some of the world’s largest companies get along better across national borders, through science and data backed research. Zak is a distinguished speaker having delivered over 100 keynotes to Fortune 500 companies and global investors. He is also a researcher on behavioral economics, national policies and its impact on global work and business dynamics. Today we talk about the brutal side of competition and collaboration between people, society, business and countries. Zak explains why he founded BridgeWorks and outlines the seven factors preventing effective global collaboration between working people. We compare work culture between Chinese companies and the rest of the world and explore China’s internal competitive intensity, education pressures and scarcity mindset. We also talk about AI’s impact on jobs, the need to be more human and what a life is for.

(00:00) Whiskey Kickoff

(04:00) Risk Tolerance After Kids

(07:55) From Young China to Bridgeworks

(15:10) Seven Elements of Collaboration

(22:29) US vs China Work Styles

(31:54) Why China Works So Hard

(35:24) Education Pressure

(44:00) Tiger Mom Success Formula

(54:35) Scarcity Trauma Mindset

(01:18:20) AI And Future Of Work

(01:28:06) Asian Talent in US