Your Next Move: Andy Dunn’s Secrets to Leading a Company and Taking Care of Yourself

Episode Release Date: December 3, 2024
Produced by Inc. Magazine and Capital One Business

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Your Next Move, Inc. Magazine and Capital One Business delve into the intricate balance between leading a successful company and maintaining personal well-being. The episode features insightful conversations with Karen Bonner, VP of Brand and Acquisitions Marketing at Capital One Business, and Andy Dunn, co-founder of Bonobos and founder of the social connectivity app Pie. Hosted by Mike Hoffman, Editor in Chief at Inc., the episode explores themes of employee well-being, mental health, startup culture, and the importance of fostering genuine human connections in the digital age.

Supporting Team Health and Well-being: Insights from Karen Bonner

Founders' Role in Employee Well-being
Sara Lynch opens the episode by highlighting the critical role founders play in nurturing their teams. [01:08] Karen Bonner emphasizes, “Investing in happy, healthy, engaged employees is really vital to their company.” She underscores that the effort in building a team is futile if it leads to burnout and turnover.

Beyond Benefits: Creating Supportive Work Environments
Karen elaborates on practical steps founders can take beyond standard benefits to support their teams. [02:20] “Creating inviting office spaces… can make a big difference in your employees' daily work and office experience,” she states. This includes investing in proper lighting, comfortable furniture, and fostering human connections through genuine interest and regular check-ins.

Resources for Enhancing Employee Well-being
For founders seeking to stay updated on employee well-being trends, Karen recommends organizations like the Healthy Work Campaign and Great Place to Work. [03:08] “By implementing some of the best practices from research-backed organizations like these, companies and their employees can reap the rewards of a healthy workplace,” she advises.

Importance of Investing in Employee Well-being
Karen highlights the tangible benefits of prioritizing employee well-being. [03:37] She cites Gallup research indicating that employees who feel their employer cares about their well-being are “69% less likely to look for a new job,” demonstrating a direct correlation between employee support and company performance.

In-depth Conversation with Andy Dunn: Building PIE and Leading with Empathy

The Genesis of PIE and Addressing Social Isolation
Mike Hoffman transitions to a conversation with Andy Dunn, who introduces his latest venture, Pie—an app designed to combat social isolation. [04:46] Andy shares alarming statistics, noting that since 2020, individuals have collectively lost “24 hours a month in in-person time… talking to other people.” He connects this decline to broader societal changes over the past two decades, including increased screen time and the erosion of traditional social structures.

Overcoming Challenges in Startup Culture and Remote Work
Andy discusses the initial struggles Pie faced with a one-to-one matching algorithm that failed to foster meaningful connections. [06:24] Inspired by Dr. Marisa Franco’s insights from her book Platonic, Andy pivoted to facilitating unplanned group interactions, essential for building genuine friendships. This shift underscores Pie’s mission to replace digital addictions with real-world connections.

Fundraising and Collaboration with Ev Williams
Navigating the venture capital landscape proved challenging for Pie, with Andy pitching to 150-200 investors before securing backing from Ev Williams, co-founder of Twitter. [15:04] “Ev’s view was the next battle is for the online winner that is going to capture the offline attention,” Andy explains. This partnership has been instrumental in Pie’s growth, providing not just funding but valuable entrepreneurial wisdom.

Creating Community through Innovative Events
To foster community, Pie hosts a variety of events such as “Dudes Getting Pancakes” and “Silent Book Club,” designed to create safe spaces for platonic friendships. [17:39] These initiatives highlight the importance of creating structured opportunities for people to connect meaningfully, combating the isolation exacerbated by remote work.

Personal Journey with Mental Health
Andy opens up about his personal struggles with bipolar disorder, detailing how untreated mental health issues affected his leadership at Bonobos. [21:06] He recounts a pivotal moment where his mother-in-law’s unwavering support helped him reframe his condition: “You are bipolar, you don’t have it,” she told him, emphasizing that the illness is separate from his identity. This revelation was crucial in his journey towards healing and informed his approach to leading Pie with empathy and resilience.

Shaping Company Culture: Candor and Courage
Reflecting on past conflicts, Andy emphasizes the importance of transparency and honest communication in leadership. [28:46] “Candor and courage” are core values at Pie, fostering an environment where constructive feedback is balanced with positive reinforcement. This cultural shift is aimed at creating a more supportive and effective workplace.

Future Directions for PIE
Looking ahead, Andy envisions leveraging AI to enhance Pie’s ability to facilitate friendships, such as matching users with optimal group sizes for meaningful interactions. [32:59] “Imagine you could show up for a conference like this… you could get a shortcut to who to go connect with,” he muses, highlighting the potential for technology to bridge the gap between digital engagement and real-world connections.

Advice to Founders on Building Meaningful Connections
Andy offers actionable advice for founders striving to create a supportive and connected workplace. [34:25] He emphasizes the significance of having at least one true platonic friend at work, which research shows is the top driver of workplace happiness. Additionally, he advocates for a balanced ratio of positive to constructive feedback, aligning with the John Gottman principle for maintaining healthy relationships.

Conclusion

This episode of Your Next Move masterfully blends discussions on employee well-being, mental health, and the importance of fostering genuine human connections within the modern work environment. Karen Bonner provides essential strategies for founders to support their teams, while Andy Dunn offers a profound personal and professional narrative on leading with empathy and resilience. Through Pie, Andy exemplifies how addressing social isolation can lead to both personal fulfillment and business growth, offering invaluable insights for entrepreneurs aiming to cultivate meaningful relationships within their organizations.

Notable Quotes:

• Karen Bonner [01:16]: “Investing in happy, healthy, engaged employees is really vital to their company.”
• Andy Dunn [06:24]: “How do we take those digital addictions and start to compete for offline attention?”
• Andy Dunn [15:04]: “Ev’s view was the next battle is for the online winner that is going to capture the offline attention.”
• Andy Dunn [21:06]: “You are bipolar, you don’t have it.”
• Andy Dunn [28:46]: “Candor and courage are core values at Pie.”
• Andy Dunn [34:25]: “Having one person who you can go vent to… is the most important thing we can do.”

For more insights and inspiring conversations with leading entrepreneurs and business leaders, subscribe to Your Next Move on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.