Interview Action Items

Actionable Tasks

• Eileen Gu: Read own contracts, even after first deals.
  • This is crucial for anyone, especially young people, to understand their agreements.
  • Eileen Gu: Do not trust anyone else with the final read of a contract.
• Eileen Gu: Don't be afraid to ask for what you believe you deserve in negotiations.
  • This includes understanding your value and what differentiates you.
• Eileen Gu: Take time for self-exploration and solitude.
  • This is important for building self-confidence and critical thinking skills.
• Eileen Gu: Learn to embrace being alone and comfortable with it.
  • This helps in self-discovery and realizing personal capabilities.
• Eileen Gu: Actively seek out criticism and feedback from friends.
  • Utilize a "rosebud thorn" exercise, perhaps quarterly, to receive constructive criticism.
  • This aids in growth, resilience, and learning to receive feedback.
• Eileen Gu: Trust own judgment more.
  • This is an ongoing process, especially after being a "small fish" for so long.
• Eileen Gu: Find ways to say "yes" to opportunities, even when they present dilemmas.
  • This involves aligning with personal values and finding creative solutions rather than outright refusal.
  • Example: Negotiating her outfit for Victoria's Secret to align with her brand.
  • Example: Shooting for Sports Illustrated Swim with an all-women-led team, ensuring her values were met.
• Eileen Gu: Do not glorify suffering as a measure of productivity or accomplishment.
  • Focus on productivity and optimization rather than the hardship itself.
  • If an easier path exists, take it.
• Eileen Gu: Do not feel the need to follow the beaten path.
  • Explore alternative solutions and be creative in problem-solving.
• Eileen Gu: Continue to pursue academic interests alongside her athletic and modeling career.
  • This has provided a unique edge in skiing and competition.
• Eileen Gu: Do not shy away from being a "nerd."
  • Embrace intellectual pursuits and see them as a source of strength and identity.
• Eileen Gu: Avoid the trap of seeking male validation, as it can be fake and used to diminish oneself.
  • Focus on internal validation and personal goals.

Commitments

• Eileen Gu: To continue reading her own contracts, even from the start of her career.
• Eileen Gu: To encourage young people to read their own contracts.
• Eileen Gu: To draw from the wealth of knowledge from her support systems (mom, friends) and people who have gone through incredible experiences.
• Eileen Gu: To work on trusting her own judgment more.
• Eileen Gu: To find creative solutions to opportunities that present dilemmas, rather than simply saying "no."
• Eileen Gu: To continue to pursue academic interests and see them as an advantage.
• Eileen Gu: To not shy away from her intellectual side and embrace being a "nerd."
• Eileen Gu: To encourage ambitious women to avoid seeking male validation.
• Eileen Gu: To seek partnerships where both individuals plan and support each other's goals, like an "executive sync."
• Eileen Gu: To take time off from her rigorous schedule to allow for rest and personal growth.
• Eileen Gu: To not normalize or glorify suffering as a virtue.
• Eileen Gu: To encourage others to find alternative paths and not just follow the beaten path.

Decisions

• Eileen Gu: To have an "executive council" or "board of people" to go to for advice, which includes her mom and respected friends.
• Eileen Gu: To pick three things that interested her (school, fashion, skiing) and integrate them into a unique career path.
• Eileen Gu: To make a conscious choice to prioritize her values and well-being when presented with opportunities like Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated Swim, finding ways to say "yes" that aligned with her personal brand.
• Eileen Gu: To embrace her biracial identity and see herself as a cultural bridge, rather than trying to fit into one category.
• Eileen Gu: To have a press conference after the Olympics to tell her story, even if facing reporters alone.
• Eileen Gu: To prioritize paying for her own tuition from high school onwards, viewing it as a point of pride and contribution to her future self.
• Eileen Gu: To graduate a year early from high school to align with the four-year Olympic cycle.
• Eileen Gu: To take time off from Stanford, moving from her initial intention to graduate early to embracing rest and personal growth.
• Eileen Gu: To not drink alcohol, as it doesn't add to her experience and she wants to avoid potential negative situations.
• Eileen Gu: To view perceived "emasculation" from men as a sign of their insecurity and a potential red flag, rather than trying to "fix" them.
• Eileen Gu: To pursue a partnership model in relationships where both individuals actively plan and support each other's goals.
• Eileen Gu: To prioritize rest and avoid traditional, potentially unhealthy, "rest strategies" that involve prolonged or forced inactivity.