Alok Sama’s transition from managing director at Morgan Stanley to becoming Chief Financial Officer at SoftBank illustrates a compelling journey through corporate finance and high-stakes tech investment. In his upcoming memoir, The Money Trap: Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble, Sama shares pivotal experiences from his time alongside founder-CEO Masayoshi Son, revealing the unique characteristics that define successful tech founders.

The Founder’s DNA: Vision Meets Detail

Sama emphasizes a critical trait shared by many founders: an intense dedication characterized by a “24/7, obsessive focus.” He recounts how working with Son was particularly demanding, noting that calls at 5:00 AM came without apology—this commitment fuels the audacious visions that define tech leaders.

“It was a huge learning experience for me—I almost had to unlearn everything I had known before that,” said Alok Sama, reflecting on his shift from traditional finance to the dynamic world of tech.

Son’s meticulous approach in business deals, including negotiations with legal and PR teams, exemplifies how founder-CEOs balance visionary thinking with operational details.

Cultivating Tech Culture

Sama notes that founders actively shape their organizational cultures, which often lean toward individualism and creativity. He references the concept of Google’s “airport test,” where team compatibility is crucial for fostering collaboration and innovative thinking. This cultural difference sets tech environments apart from more traditional corporate frameworks.

Visionary Leadership: The Case of Masayoshi Son

Describing Son as someone who can “see the future,” Sama highlights his continuous engagement with innovative ideas and strategic discussions with smart peers. Such interactions often lead to brilliant yet unconventional concepts, demonstrating how Son thrives on brainstorming and idea testing.

Sama shares that Son embraces the perception of being “crazy” in the tech sphere, which aids in fostering quick deal closures due to the unpredictability it inspires in others.

Reflections on Industry Change

Sama’s work with notable figures such as Nikesh Arora at Palo Alto Networks reinforced the importance of having a clear, focused strategy in a fragmented industry like cybersecurity. He praises Arora’s brilliance in attracting talented individuals who elevate collective performance.

When Sama pivoted to writing, pursuing an MFA while motivated by a lifelong ambition, he found a narrative in his experiences that resonated broadly. His transition is symbolic of the broader paradigm shift occurring in the tech industry where innovation transforms established norms.

Strategic Acquisitions and Market Disruption

Sama discusses SoftBank’s strategic investments, such as in Alibaba and ARM Holdings. He notes that his finance background initially urged a more conventional analysis, contrasting with Son’s forward-thinking mindset. For instance, Son identified the potential of ARM Holdings long before it became central to AI developments.

Looking Ahead: The Stargate Initiative and AI Development

Sama shares insights on the Stargate AI infrastructure initiative, highlighting SoftBank’s positioning within the semiconductor ecosystem while collaborating with partners like OpenAI. This reflects a keen awareness of the integral role energy and data processing play in driving AI innovations.

Embracing Change in Technology

As discussed in his article for The Times, Sama argues that advances in AI should be seen as accelerators rather than threats, likening it to historical innovations that led to increased consumption and innovation—a phenomenon explained by the Jevons Paradox. His focus on technological trends reinforces a positive outlook on the ongoing evolution of the tech landscape.