#120 Steve Lucas: Embracing Your Superpowers
Steve Lucas is the CEO of Boomi, a leading intelligent integration and automation platform. Before joining Boomi, Steve served as CEO of Marketo, where he led the company's transformation from a $1.6 billion valuation to its acquisition by Adobe for $4.75 billion in just 24 months—one of the largest software acquisitions in history. Prior to that, he held executive leadership roles at SAP and Salesforce, and cut his teeth in technology at Microsoft in the early 1990s. Steve is the author of "Digital Impact," exploring how AI and intelligent automation are reshaping business and society. A passionate advocate for diabetes research after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 26, he serves on the board of the Children's Diabetes Foundation and recently established an endowed chair for diabetes research at the University of Colorado. Known for his curiosity, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to customers—he makes it a rule to speak with at least one customer every single day—Steve brings a unique blend of technical expertise and people-first leadership to one of technology's most transformative eras.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Bill McDermott's simple advice—"just be you"—freed Steve from a decade of self-doubt and changed his career trajectory
The power of saying "no": How Steve took Marketo from $1.6B to $4.9B by doing less, not more
Why talking to a customer every single day is non-negotiable and how it transforms your entire organization
Turning adversity into strength: Steve's journey with type 1 diabetes and the moment that changed his perspective forever
The future of AI in the workplace and why we're the last generation of managers to manage only humans
Watch the episode on YouTube here.
Podcast Show Notes
Timestamps & Key Topics
[00:00:00] Introduction & Early Influences
Steve's father, a nuclear engineer, taught him to program in Fortran as a kid
Building IBM-compatible computers in the 1980s
The fascination with punch cards that sparked a lifelong passion for technology
Nature vs. nurture: passing curiosity forward to the next generation
[00:06:30] What Makes Great Leaders
Three key traits: curiosity, being a "learn-it-all" not a "know-it-all," and deep empathy
Bill McDermott's profound impact as a mentor
The advice that changed everything: "Just be you"
Overcoming the "bull in a china shop" feedback that haunted Steve for a decade
[00:15:45] Bill McDermott's Leadership Philosophy
What "always in your corner" really means
Bill leading while dealing with his life-changing accident
The authenticity and genuine care that sets great leaders apart
Why your network truly is your net worth
[00:22:00] Turning Adversity Into Strength
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 26
The "why not you?" moment with his wife
The woman at the restaurant who changed his perspective forever
Establishing an endowed chair for diabetes research with Dr. Michael McDermott
[00:32:15] Early Career Lessons
Working full-time at Microsoft while going to school full-time at age 20
The bold declaration at 22: "I want to be CEO of a billion-dollar software company"
How early exposure to Microsoft shaped his entire career trajectory
The manager who laughed at his CEO ambitions (and got it wrong)
[00:38:00] Generalist vs. Specialist: The Power of Variety
Why organizations programmatize people into single roles
The importance of context switching and orchestrating diverse skills
Thriving on variety and curiosity over predictability
Why the best CEOs have a variety of skills, not a single-track background
[00:43:30] The Marketo Transformation
Taking Marketo from $1.6 billion to $4.75 billion in 24 months
The power of saying "no" and doing less, not more
Why B2B and B2C marketing are "apples and giraffes"
Pivoting from marketing automation to an engagement platform
The serendipitous alignment with Adobe's experience platform vision
[00:52:00] Building Your Network
The importance of breaking bread, not just virtual connections
Post-COVID challenges with remote work culture
"We sat around campfires for millions of years"—human connection is in our genes
Why Starbucks is the modern campfire
[00:56:45] The Daily Customer Rule
Steve's non-negotiable practice: talk to a customer every single day
How it transforms your worldview and makes you more customer-oriented
The incredible Marketo domain name story that proves relationships matter
Making customer connection as routine as brushing your teeth
[01:04:00] Focus on Unlocking Progress, Not Chasing Titles
Why momentum isn't about job titles
Becoming the person who unlocks progress for others
How visibility is earned through delivering value
Steve's response when team members say "I want your job"
[01:07:30] The Future of AI in Business
Why we're 2-3 years away from artificial general intelligence (AGI)
The last generation of managers to manage only humans
How AI agents are already automating expense reports at Boomi
Chat B: Boomi's AI sales assistant that prepares reps and creates custom presentations
[01:18:00] AI's Impact on Society
What consumers need to know about AI
The opportunities: living longer, healthier, happier lives
The risks: job displacement and the need for better AI governance
Why governments aren't doing enough to protect humanity while managing AI
AI in diabetes care: the potential for personalized insulin management
[01:26:00] Public Speaking & Communication
The two critical questions for every point: Is it interesting? Is it relevant?
Visualizing yourself on stage before presenting
Knowing you're ready when you dream about giving the keynote
Being authentically yourself: "Beware the perfect presentation—it was built with ChatGPT"
[01:31:00] Balancing Family & Career Success
"I would quit a thousand times over if it meant sacrificing my family"
Being present and intentional when you're home
The realization about talking about himself too much
Expressing genuine interest in others as the key to success
[01:37:15] Daily Habits & Self-Care
The simple rule: sweat every day
Winding down by learning something new
Falling asleep to World War II documentaries or space explorations
Binge-watching with his wife and having heated debates about characters
[01:40:30] Book Recommendations
"The Infinite Game" by Simon Sinek
"How to Build a Car" by Adrian Newey
"Crossing the Chasm" by Geoffrey Moore
Ray Dalio's works
"Iconic": A photographic tribute to Apple innovation
[01:44:00] The Car Restoration Hobby
Rebuilding cars with his son as a bonding experience
Deconstructing and reconstructing—just like his career approach
Starting with a 2008 Honda S2000 and adding a turbo
How the process mirrors his leadership philosophy
[01:47:45] Final Career Advice
"Everything you want is on the other side of fear"
Overcoming fear as the most important skillset to develop
Why Steve waited until 41 to become a CEO (and wishes he hadn't)
"You're not gonna leave this earth without money in your checking account—so go do the thing"
[01:52:00] Closing Thoughts
Key Quotes
"Be the first-rate version of you, not the second-rate version of somebody else." — Bill McDermott's advice to Steve
"Great leaders are learn-it-alls, not know-it-alls." — Satya Nadella (quoted by Steve)
"I will never complain about the food that I can pick up and put in my own mouth." — Steve's turning point moment
"If you go a day without talking to a customer, it's a wasted day."
"Focus on finding problems and delivering value. Become the person that unlocks progress for others."
"Everything you want is on the other side of fear."
"You are the last generation of managers to manage only humans."
Preview of the interview with Steve Lucas