Kara Swisher on being the best at what she does, running for mayor of San Francisco, and having a baby at 56
Kara Swisher. Photo-Illustration: by Stevie Remsberg; Photo: Getty Doing the Most is a special series about ambition — how we define it, harness it, and conquer it. As part of the theme, we’re interviewing successful women about what motivates them to be so good at what they do.
I was very declarative of my qualities. And I don’t think I was being braggy. I won the journalism award in college when I was a freshman, and it was a senior award. I got a lot of pushback for it, which was weird. I was like, “Well, too bad, I beat you.” I don’t care much for awards, though. I knew I was good already. I wasn’t particularly competitive in sports, which is interesting. I didn’t want to win in games, just work.Originally, I wanted to be an architect.
A lot of people have said to me, “You should be more humble.” And I’m like, “Why?” Bragging is different than saying what it is. When I suck at something, I say I suck at it. But I know what I’m good at.I love oysters, by the way. They’re my favorite food. But anyway, I always knew I was lucky. I grew up in a wealthy environment. I have a lot of advantages. So I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the struggles I have because I know that I am very lucky in lots of ways.
My dad died when I was 5. I remember thinking, The worst thing ever happened to me and I’m still here. Being aware of death tends to clear out the brush. Anytime I’m having a minute, I remember, Oh, I’ll be dead in 50 years. Okay. And then I stand up. I’m not death-obsessed, but I’m death-aware. It keeps me focused.I’ve definitely been in abusive workplaces. But there are also types of bosses who try to hold you back a little bit, in small ways.
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