> Another example. Gmail launched 2004. Imagine if 2002 a senior leader at Microsoft had burst into a meeting of the Hotmail leadership team and started shouting "Why the hell do other email providers even still exist? And why the fuck do I have to still delete emails every couple of days? I want every other free email provider out of business right asap. Lose money on it, I don't care, just make us the best!"

I can easily imagine this. The outcome would be that I would go outdoors, raise my hand, and ask "Any company out there willing to pay me to leave?"

Tell me: Did Google have a senior leaser burst into a meeting and start shouting "Why the the fuck do I have to still delete emails every couple of days? I want every free email provider out of business right asap. Lose money on it, I don't care, just make us the best!"

Is that how Gmail became dominant?

If your goal is to only employ one type of person - uber competitive type who cannot motivate themselves without wild pep talks - you're going to miss out on a lot of talent. I'll happily employ bright people who don't want to work for/with you.

Always problematic to assume that what works for you works for the majority.