Heads up: Conor had a reprieve and I ran this one solo. I had the pleasure of speaking with Liz Steininger, CEO of Least Authority — a privacy and security auditing firm based in Berlin, Germany. Least Authority’s focus is primarily on Web3, and I’ve had the good fortune to work with Liz and her brilliant team.
We started out by diving deep into reflections and insights that only come from lived experience. Liz's thoughtful perspective provided a wealth of wisdom, offering up advice that is not only personal but universally resonant.
The Question That Opens Time: I started off by posing an introspective question: "If you could go back in time, what's one piece of advice that you would give a younger version of yourself?" It’s the kind of question we’ve all pondered at least once in our lives, and Liz’s response was both relatable and inspiring.
On Misplaced Energy: Liz didn't hesitate to reflect on her past. She shared that one of the most poignant pieces of advice she’d offer her younger self revolves around the use of energy. Specifically, she would tell herself not to waste so much energy on certain people or situations.
Focusing on What Matters: Instead, she advised that while it’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae of daily life, to let certain situations drain our energy and consume our thoughts. Liz's advice serves as a potent reminder: life's challenges are often temporary, and holding on too tightly can prevent us from progressing toward better opportunities that lie ahead.
Remembering to direct energy toward things that truly matter is a lesson many of us could revisit, and Liz's candidness underscores just how transformative this shift in mindset can be.
A Guidepost for Life's Journey: While much of our talk revolved around time, energy and focus, and was indeed a bit of a therapy session, Liz’s reflections are not just words of wisdom but can be seen as a guidepost for all of us navigating life’s tumultuous journey.
She reminds us that while the challenges of the moment can seem overwhelming, tomorrow often brings new opportunities that are worth our attention and care.
Thank you, Liz, for sharing your insights and reminding us of the power of strategic self-focus.
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Liz
03:02 Career Observations: Defining Success
08:21 Industry Trends: Learning from Failures
15:19 Personal Questions: Dream Destinations
21:59 Creating a Culture of Security and Privacy
25:57 Advice to Younger Self
29:48 Life Lessons and Guilty Pleasures
35:37 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser
Stay tuned for the next episode, where we welcome Alexander Hanff to Chance Conversations and put him in the hot seat.
Episode 5: On Time, Energy, and Life's Journey, with Liz Steininger