Oct 22 2005
Meeting Matt Bannick
Met eBay’s International President, Mr. Matt Bannick Friday morning. He was giving a speech in UW Club and our program Chair, Prof. Mary Callahan, got him to chat with some IS students.
His bio
It usually makes me uncomfortable singing praise for someone I don’t know that well. But I left the meeting deeply impressed and equally inspired.
He said his personal success was due to cultivating relationships, hardwork and making the most of every opportunity. He stressed again and again how much he values personal integrity. He said he did not build connections, but relationships. If you genuinely care about someone, the feelings would be reciprocal.
When he first joined eBay, he was asked to manage Customer Services, which I guess is not high in the corporate totem pole. But he said he trusted Mag Whitman and did his job well. He implied where he is today is a result of that.
He is a very intelligent man. Someone asked how he felt differently in foreign service and private sector. He observed the former was an intellect exercise, the latter more on leadership. Nothing cynical, nothing philosophical, but one can relate to. Excellent communication skills: focus on a couple of key points, add some stories, observations but always comes back to the same points.
I can work for someone like that. At least I know being a “good” man actually pays.
This is very well written. I like and respect this person through your intro. Thanks.