On platforms

The only way to scale — and have a chance at becoming part of the fabric of the world — is to figure out the patterns and primitives, expose them as extensible interfaces that are opinionated enough to create consistency but not so restrictive so as to strangle creativity and innovation, provide clear best practices and samples, and let builders build.

You must be willing to put your most valuable assets out there for others to take advantage of. You must leave enough money or room on the table for others to get rich.

And finally you need to be honest, earnest and clear about your intentions so that those that come to rely on you can be your partners in success.

This doesn’t diminish your power or control, it magnifies it. This doesn’t reduce your leverage, it extends it.

In other words; build a platform.

It’s an art as much as it is a science.