EP-02: Brett Adcock, Figure - Visionary Leadership in AI Robotics

TLC Equation with Joe Musselman

Welcome to TLC Equation with your host, Joe Musselman. I’m a founder who shares your journey.
(Vision x Mission x Values)^10 / (Principles + Ethos) = Teams, Leadership, Culture

This show explores certain universal truths behind the greatest teams, leaders, and cultures on earth, and how they have conquered the world’s most complex challenges.

Discover the blueprint that ordinary people followed to enact extraordinary visions to become the most inspiring leaders. Learn how you can impact billions of lives. Listen and watch how I use surgical questioning to dig into leaders' emotionally charged and shaping journeys to learn how they arrived.

In the end, working alongside individuals and institutions toward absolute alignment of vision, mission, values, principles, and ethos — is the deep work that sets my soul on fire.

This episode features an enlightening interview with Brett Adcock, Founder and CEO of Figure and long-time technology entrepreneur. Join us for an inspiring conversation as Brett shares his extraordinary journey, marked by the creation of three remarkable companies. Discover his unwavering commitment as he channels his focus into Figure, fueled by a compelling 30-year vision to shape a positive future for humanity.

Brett will discuss the inception of Figure and his ambitious aspirations for the company, the misconceptions around job replacement by robots, Brett’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, and so much more.

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Guest Bio:

Brett Adcock is the Founder & CEO of Figure and long-time technology entrepreneur. Brett has been building companies for 20 years, and now his sole focus is building Figure with a 30-year view to positively impact the future of humanity.

Prior to Figure, Brett founded Archer Aviation, an aerospace company building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to improve mobility in cities. Brett built Archer into a globally leading electric aerospace company; he raised over $1.0 billion of capital, took Archer public on the NYSE at a valuation of $2.7 billion, signed a $1.5 billion commercial agreement with United Airlines, and vertically integrated aircraft design, flight software, actuation, electric motors, and battery systems.

At the age of 26, Brett founded Vettery, an online talent marketplace built to solve the problem around human capital and match the right people to the right job opportunity. Vettery was acquired by The Adecco Group, the largest recruiting company in the world, in 2018 for $110 million. Brett was born and raised in central Illinois on a third-generation agricultural farm and attended the University of Florida.

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Guest Quote:

“What's the truth is a company is only as good as the product or service they ship. If the product's really great, people will use it, people will talk about it. You will have good margins and you will renew that customer. If your product's not great, or you don't continue to innovate because other folks make great products, you will die in the limit. Most companies are dying worldwide right now. Most companies are getting eaten by software, by AI, by new startups, like everywhere in the world.” - Brett Adcock

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Time Stamps:

*(03:03) Intro

*(06:18) Brett’s journey

*(09:55) Inception of Figure

*(14:00) Brett’s 10-year vision for Figure

*(20:10) Commercial vs in-home robots

*(22:30) Demystifying job replacements by robots

*(26:45) Reading the signals for the humanoid era

*(28:51) Importance of recruiting for top talent

*(37:00) Significance of product shipment

*(39:58) Crafting absolute alignment in the workplace

*(44:01) Brett’s inspirations

*(47:42) Brett’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

*(50:46) Spotlight on the significance of small details in leadership

*(52:50) Celebrating wins at Figure

*(58:17) Brett’s aspirations for lasting impact

*(59:40) What makes Figure an enticing workplace?

*(1:04:10) Decoding the Figure logo

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The TLC Equation is brought to you by Semper Stronger, a curated community of strength-seekers and personal limit pushers. Founded by Rebecca Rouse and Joel Del Rosario, their workouts, whether centered around the finesse of a kettlebell or the might of a barbell, are designed for the dedicated, those who pursue mastery with every heartbeat. For those with an insatiable thirst for excellence, where challenges are but milestones on the road to greatness, Semper Stronger is your anthem. Visit SemperStronger.com to learn more.

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The TLC Equation is brought to you by Crosslink Capital. Meet Matt Bigge, a former U.S. Army officer turned venture capital leader. As a Partner at Crosslink Capital, he's behind tech successes like Verodin and CloudShield. Matt's reputation among founders is rock solid, and his impact on the venture scene is profound. Visit CrosslinkCapital.com to learn more about Matt and Crosslink Capital.

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The TLC Equation is brought to you by 8VC, a visionary VC firm. They partner with elite founders to create lasting value through transformative technologies. Their team brings diverse expertise, from engineering to entrepreneurship, and they value wisdom while challenging conventions. Visit 8VC.com to learn more.

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Links:

Guest Links:

• Connect with Brett on LinkedIn
• Follow Figure on LinkedIn
• Visit Figure's website

TLC Equation Links:

• Connect with Joe on LinkedIn
• Visit the TLC Equation website

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