Legendary entertainment and media executive Barry Diller talks to Fast Company’s editor-in-chief about his instinct for spotting talent, his appetite for creative conflict, and why insiders should get the top jobs.
As a Hollywood executive, Barry Diller helped shape the careers of former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, onetime Columbia Pictures president Dawn Steel, and DreamWorks cofounder Jeffrey Katzenberg, who, among many others, became known in the industry as the “Killer Dillers.” As chairman and senior executive of media and internet conglomerate IAC and chairman of travel juggernaut Expedia, he has mentored Mindy Grossman (now CEO of Weight Watchers) and Dara Khosrowshahi (CEO of Uber). In today’s era of data-driven talent management, Diller’s ongoing success offers a reminder of the power of intuition.
You’ve identified and nurtured high performers across several industries and businesses for many years. Putting aside job titles and functions, what traits indicate great talent?
I would say there are none, when [employees] begin. Bring people into an organization—young, inexperienced, but with energy, and edge—and drop them into water above their heads as quickly as you can. Some survive. And those who survive answer your question. Everything is idiosyncratic. There’s no rule book. I’m probably the worst person to ask about this topic, but anyway, you’re the one who called.
What’s the best way to help creative types excel?
Put them to work! Let us assume that the task is writing, something you may be familiar with. The only way to write, say, for television or film, is to write. Hopefully you will be sending that first or twentieth draft to somebody, and if they’re any good, they’ll help you [develop] your craft. It’s process. It’s one [foot] in front of the other.
I’ve heard people say: “If you deliver for Barry Diller, he’ll deliver for you.” Do you think this philosophy, of being demanding but loyal, has helped attract talent to you?
This story is from the September 2018 edition of Fast Company.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2018 edition of Fast Company.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies - CAMPUS
FOR CREATING A NATIONAL ONLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies - SOL DE JANEIRO
FOR DROPPING NEW FRAGRANCES AT AN INTOXICATING PACE
The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies - VANTA
FOR OFFER ING STARTUPS TOOLS TO TRUST BUT VERIFYIN THE AGE OF AI
The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies - PERPLEXITY
FOR LOCATING THE ANSWER TO THE PERENNIAL PROBLEMS OF WEB SEARCH
The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies - THE POWER BROKER
ITS CHIPS SPARKED THE AI REVOLUTION. NOW NVIDIA IS PUTTING THE TECH TO WORK ACROSS INDUSTRIES.
The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies - NATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER LEAGUE
FOR RESETTING THE VALUE OF WOMEN'S SPORTS
08 FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS
WITH A NEW CEO BEHIND THE COUNTER. TACO BELL IS FOLLOWING A FRESH STRATEGY FOR GLOBAL CULTURAL DOMINATION. ONE TACO TUESDAY AT A TIME.
Reimagining the ways we work and meet
As business leaders rethink their real estate footprint, they're embracing smaller, high-quality, amenity-rich spaces that are more focused on human connection.” In other words, Convene.
10 Trend
From the Most Innovative Companies | Plus 606 Honorees From Advertising to Video
The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies
"The 1920s, water went into a generator, and DC Power came out. Now electrons go into a generator, and intelligence comes out."