37 Years as CEO: What Ray Zinn Learned About Leadership That Most Miss

In this follow-up conversation, Silicon Valley pioneer Ray Zinn returns to expand on the leadership lessons, life experiences, and principles that guided his 37-year tenure as CEO at Micrel—the longest-serving CEO in Bay Area tech history. Zinn reflects more deeply on resilience, faith, and purpose, sharing how he navigated personal loss, business pressure, and the challenges of leading while legally blind. He explains why humility, trust, and long-term thinking mattered more than growth at any cost—and what today’s leaders often get wrong. We also explore succession, legacy, and the responsibility of passing wisdom to the next generation in an industry obsessed with speed and disruption. “Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about stewardship,” Zinn says. Watch the full conversation for thoughtful insights on endurance, character, and what it truly means to lead over a lifetime.