Vinod Khosla is best known for shunning convention and taking massive risks on companies he calls 'black swans' -companies with a near-complete chance of failure. But, if they succeed, the world will be forever changed.

Pishevar, co-founder and managing director of Sherpa Capital, is a powerful figure in the Valley and a bridge to establishment figures on both coasts. He cultivated a relationship with Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick and publicly came to his defense when he was ousted as chief executive officer and sued by another investor.

When you're in the middle of an interview, it's so easy to stop listening and think about the next question you're going to ask. You can miss that golden moment which might take you in a different direction or a direction you didn't expect.

Great companies are built in the office, with hard work put in by a team.

In college, I got an internship at my local station in Honolulu one summer, and I just fell in love with broadcast news, reporting, and storytelling. After college, I started out at NBC, and I worked behind the scenes at 'Today' and 'Dateline.'

I love what I do. I love getting to talk with these people, and I feel like I'm learning something every day. You also have to be a really good listener, which I think is an underestimated skill.