Every now and then, it’s time to bet big

After moving from China to the US aged just 16, Shuo Wang sold scooters at second-hand markets on weekends to get by. After studying robotics at MIT, she co-founded the global HR and payroll company Deel with her classmate Alex Bouaziz. The unicorn firm is now valued at $12 billion, with Wang as chief revenue officer. Here she shares advice on building momentum in a growing business.
1 Know when to go all in. I’m a poker player, and every now and then, I know when to take risks. You don’t get the prize if you aren’t in the game and willing to bet big.
2 Focus on building. In the early days fundraising and revenue are important, but what you really want is people who believe in you and your product. Get what you need to get going, then focus on building something your team and customers care about.
3 Don’t overthink. Gather information and make the best call you can in the moment, then lead. No one has a crystal ball so don’t let fear of regret hold you back.
4 If you’re not passionate, move on. Work consumes a huge amount of your energy — it’s important to be passionate about what you do and surround yourself with great people. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least you enjoyed the ride.
5 Be a conductor. When you’re running a big team it’s impossible to be across every task. Instead, be clear with goals and direction to ensure all of the work bubbles up to a cohesive outcome.
6 Be radically obsessed with execution. Know where to dig in and be in the details — and when you find a project to focus on, strive for results with clear parameters of success.