Yahoo's Former CEO Offers Wise Advice: 'Fail. Fast Forward' In Cannabis AND Technology

Carol Bartz is not your conventional tech luminary. Best known as the former CEO of Autodesk ADSK and Yahoo - now owned by Verizon Communications Inc. VZ. Bartz's dynamic journey from the spheres of computer science to her recent affinity with the cannabis world is nothing short of fascinating.

As we delved deeper into her narrative, the layers of her multifaceted personality unfolded, illuminating a progressive, experimental spirit that has been an undercurrent throughout her life.

Stepping back to the 1960s, Bartz, armed with a computer science degree, embarked on her maiden voyage into programming. Friends often pondered her interest in a field that was then embryonic and somewhat obscure. But Bartz saw potential, a vision. After completing her first program, she was hit with a euphoric realization: "Wow! This is going to change everybody’s lives!"

Fast forward to the present, and the septuagenarian tech magnate divulges her penchant for cannabis. She speaks candidly about her preference for both CBD and its psychoactive counterpart, THC. "I do consider myself a progressive, kind of experimental, person," she revealed in an exclusive interview, reminiscing about her initial tryst with medical cannabis, which, in her words, was "crazy good."

Yet, Bartz is not one to plunge headlong without due diligence. Her progressive outlook is tethered by a pragmatic approach. As an anecdote, she narrated an incident from around 35 years ago, detailing her investment in an artisanal beer venture. "This is yet another example... It’s different and it’s got a great team,” she reflected.

Drawing parallels between the tech world and the cannabis industry, Bartz distilled wisdom from her experiences. She professes a mantra she's lived by, emphasizing the need to embrace failure as a stepping stone to progress. Her ethos? "Fail. Fast Forward." Expounding on this, she said, "To move forward, you can't be afraid to fail... People who are too structured and are afraid to try something new and fail, won’t make it in a new environment like this. You have to have some ‘cojones’ - you have to be able to get out there and try."

In the evolving realm of cannabis, Bartz foresees groundbreaking developments, similar to breakthroughs in cancer treatments. She emphasized the potential for intricate molecular combinations tailored for therapeutic effects. Her counsel to those navigating this nascent industry is to remain agile, adaptable and open-minded. "So, the lesson here is you need to be adaptable, adjustable, and smart enough to make some really hard decisions," she opined.

With Bartz’s impressive trajectory from tech to cannabis, one thing remains crystal clear: her knack for seeing potential, her tenacity, and her willingness to experiment will always set her apart.

Read the full story on Forbes.