Tough Things First ― Leadership Lessons from Silicon Valley's Longest Serving Ceo

Silicon Valley legend Ray Zinn, CEO of top microchip company Micrel for 37 years, shows entrepreneurs and executives how to lead and succeed by tackling the Tough Things First

As the trailblazing founder and CEO of Micrel, Inc., Ray Zinn bootstrapped his company, achieved consistent profitability, and delivered a total equity value of more than $800 million at its acquisition. In nearly four decades of building this microchip empire, that saw it through the dot-com bust and Great Recession, he relied on his discipline as a leader, passion as an inventor, and training as an athlete. In this insightful, no-nonsense book, he tells it like it is—drawing from his vast experience and contrarian views to motivate and inspire today’s entrepreneurs.

Using a tough-love approach to business and life, Zinn tells leaders about the interconnected corporate mind, eyes, body and heart, and how discipline—for the entrepreneur and for the organization—is the first and most important step. By tackling the jobs they might not love but need to master, they strengthen the entrepreneurial vision and sharpen company focus. Zinn’s advice is as sharp and hard-won as his incredible success—a publicly traded microchip company with only one unprofitable year.

Ray Zinn is the founder of Micrel, Inc., one of the world’s leading microchip companies, and served as its CEO for 37 years. Still innovating, he is the founder of a Silicon Valley accelerator that helps business visionaries build profitable, enduring companies.

Ray Zinn is the founder of Micrel, Inc., one of the world’s leading microchip companies, and served as its CEO for 37 years. Still innovating, he is the founder of a Silicon Valley accelerator that helps business visionaries build profitable, enduring companies.