Joe Gebbia

The story of Airbnb is really the underdog story in many ways.

Everything at Airbnb is a continuation of what it's like to be a guest in somebody's house. We think about how each stage makes people feel.

High reputation beats high similarity.

By helping New Yorkers turn their greatest expense - their home - into an asset, Airbnb is a vehicle that artists, entrepreneurs, and innovators can use to earn extra money to pursue their passion.

Since the very beginning, we wanted to create an experience for our guests: more than just a place to sleep. We wanted to cook breakfast in the morning; we wanted to provide a subway map for our guests. Pick them up from the airport.

Sympathy relies on a common experience. If you're clumsy, you might have sympathy for others who tend to bump into things. Empathy, on the other hand, is the ability to understand another person's feelings even if you've never experienced them yourself.

Design has always been a driving force in my life: it's the lens through which I experience the world.

As Chief Product Officer, I lead our product team to create simple, intuitive user experiences.

Design helps shape our everyday interactions through products, furniture, objects, or experiences.

You must have the ability to recognize good design and good user experience. These are core things at Airbnb. It doesn't matter which department you're in.

Airbnb has grown thanks to our hosts creating memorable experiences and inspiring their guests to be hosts in their hometowns.

In art school, you learn that design is much more than the look and feel of something - it's the whole experience.