You can’t let anyone define you. That’s a mantra former US National Security Advisor and UN Ambassador, Susan Rice lives by. From becoming the youngest assistant secretary of state to her role as US Ambassador to the United Nations, she’s learned what it means to drive forward in the face of challenges. In this discussion with a16z General Partner Kathryn Haun, Susan reflects on the many lessons she’s learned throughout her career, early diplomacy, protecting national security, and tough yet compassionate leadership. About Susan Rice Susan Rice is the former National Security Advisor (2013-2017), and former US Ambassador to the United Nations (2009-2013) during the Obama administration. Before that, she was the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (1997-2001). She is currently serving as Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at American University’s School of International Service in Washington, DC; non-resident Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, MA; and as a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times. Highlights Susan shares how she learned to leverage the characteristics of her personality early in her career as assistant secretary of state [1:50] ne of the important conversations Susan had with a mentor that changed the trajectory of her career [4:45] Susan explores how the legacy of her parents shaped her life and career [7:06] Her parent’s commitment to education, their personal backgrounds, and the legacies they created [8:10] The result of instilling self-belief into children and mastering “psychological jiu jitsu” [10:22] What the early lessons of diplomacy taught her [14:00] The importance of strategic compartmentalization [16:48] How to approach crisis during high stakes situations [18:29] How to practice compassionate leadership while maintaining effectiveness [20:20] Hacking the concept of “work-life balance” [21:10] The required characteristics of powerful leaders [27:14] The hard things about leadership and the idea of being liked [30:55] The “middle finger story”/the time Susan stood up for herself in an important meeting [32:45] Susan talks about China’s intelligence collection in the US [38:40] A call for unity between the private, public, and academic sectors [43:12]