Daniel Ek, Spotify | David Senra

Daniel Ek is the co-founder and CEO of Spotify.

Daniel Ek is an entrepreneur and technology executive widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in music, podcasting and audio streaming more broadly. Rising to prominence in the 2000s and 2010s, he became known for revolutionizing how people consume music and for transforming the music industry through digital innovation, platform development and strategic partnerships. He became a household name through Spotify's global expansion, and his career highlights include co-founding Spotify in 2006, growing it to over half a billion users worldwide and pioneering the freemium streaming model that reshaped music consumption. As an advocate for artists and music accessibility, he has also championed fair compensation models and music discovery algorithms, further cementing his influence and legacy in digital music culture.

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David Senra
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Daniel Ek
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Chapters
00:00 Reflecting on a Life-Changing Conversation
01:17 Optimizing for Impact Over Happiness
04:08 The Journey of Self-Motivation
08:58 The Importance of Trust and Relationships
14:24 The Role of Criticism and Self-Reflection
16:24 The Evolution of an Entrepreneur
22:14 Building a Company True to Yourself
33:43 The Power of Trust in Business
41:12 Intellectual Humility and Learning from Others
41:36 Shadowing Leaders for Growth
43:48 Learning from Mark Zuckerberg
47:02 Balancing Personal Taste and Metrics in Product Decisions
52:22 The Evolution of Leadership at Spotify
58:00 Building a Company That Outlasts the Founder
01:14:12 Managing Energy Over Time
01:24:18 The Never-Ending Game of Life
01:24:41 Lessons from Henry Ford
01:25:55 The Value of Solving Problems
01:30:29 The Importance of Quality
01:36:07 The Power of Focus and Patience
01:53:19 Balancing Work and Life
01:59:12 The Journey of Self-Discovery
02:07:30 Final Reflections and Gratitude