10 Truths and 1 Lie about Living and Working in Silicon Valley

I recently had the pleasure of joining Peter Snauwaert on his podcast What’s On Your Mind. Peter asked thoughtful questions that made me reflect on what I’ve learned from my years at Barco and from working with companies across industries in Silicon Valley. These experiences continue to shape the way I think about growth and innovation.

Here are some of my favorite takeaways from our conversation:

10 Truths and 1 Lie about business, culture and mindset in America and Silicon Valley

1. Openness to foreign talent

   
   

   Americans are very willing to work with non-Americans, especially in Silicon Valley where nearly two-thirds of tech workers are foreign-born. What they value most is proximity and commitment, knowing you are here for the long term.

   
   

2. Risk is in the DNA

   
   

   Taking risks is seen as essential to progress. In Europe, we are often trained to minimize them, which can make us miss growth opportunities.

   
   

3. Trust first, then speed

   
   

   Once trust is built, decisions move quickly and expectations for results follow just as fast.

   
   

4. A huge and complex market

   
   

   The U.S. is big, but far from homogeneous. Each region has its own culture, needs, and regulations. Get the necessary insights before making strategic decisions. Even niche markets here can offer tremendous potential.

   
   

5. The power of clarity

   
   

   Have the right, proactive focus. Knowing where to start, and where not to, beats any “spray and pray” approach.

   
   

6. Work efficiently

   
   

   Decide what to do from headquarters and what should be done locally. Choose the right partners and focus your team on priorities that truly move the needle.

   
   

7. Set a clear strategic framework

   
   

   Strategy should come from the management at HQ. Create a strong framework within which local teams can operate, and give them the freedom to adapt and execute.

   
   

8. It is not about the features, but about the impact and results

   
   

   In Silicon Valley, customers care less about what your product is and more about what it delivers.

   
   

9. No golden way to success

   
   

   There is no single path to growth. Some companies expand from Europe, others move to the U.S. What matters is a clear strategy and consistent commitment.

   
   

10. Build on strong foundations and shared values

    
    

    A solid business does not rely on one customer, partner, or employee. It stands on multiple pillars and shared values that align people and guide decisions.

    
    

The Lie

Silicon Valley is high-tech in every aspect. (If our Wi-Fi drops, it’s usually on my side 😉)

🎧 A big thank you to Peter Snauwaert for the great conversation and for creating such an inspiring platform for entrepreneurs and leaders.

We also talked about the more personal side of life in Silicon Valley:  from food and raising kids to bringing a bit of West-Vlaanderen to California.

👉 Watch or listen to the full episode.

Peter and I covered so much in our conversation that I’ve decided to do a deep dive into each of these topics in the coming weeks, more to come, so stay tuned!

Warm regards,

Sophie