‘Zuck told me to play the long game. I wish I had listened’: OpenAI’s Fidji Simo on her biggest career regret

Fidji Simo’s Career Regret: Zuck Told Me to Play the Long Game

Zuck told me to play the long – Fidji Simo, former CEO of Applications at OpenAI, reflects on her career with a mix of pride and regret, recalling a pivotal piece of advice from Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg. The phrase “Zuck told me to play the long game” has become a central theme in her candid conversation about balancing professional ambition with personal health. After stepping down from her leadership role, Simo openly discusses how her relentless drive to succeed, often at the expense of self-care, has led to a significant career lesson. Her journey from a small French town to the forefront of tech innovation has been shaped by both triumphs and challenges, with her health struggles serving as a turning point.

From Relentless Ambition to a Health-Driven Realization

Simo’s career trajectory has been defined by her determination to achieve big goals quickly. She recalls pushing through difficulties at Facebook, where she rose to lead the flagship app, and later at Instacart, where she accelerated growth and transformation. However, her recent experience with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) has reshaped her perspective. Diagnosed seven years ago, POTS—a condition affecting the autonomic nervous system—has forced her to confront the limits of her work ethic. “The very qualities that helped me climb the ladder also made it hard to recognize when I needed to slow down,” she admitted, highlighting a critical moment of self-reflection.

“Zuck told me to play the long game, but I wish I had listened,” Simo wrote in a recent post, underscoring the regret she feels for not prioritizing her health earlier. Her condition, which causes symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and heart palpitations, has been a constant challenge. Yet, it has also provided clarity on the importance of sustainable success over rapid achievement. “The long game is about consistency and resilience, not just speed,” she explained, offering a renewed vision for her professional path.

The Weight of a Seven-Year Battle

POTS has been a silent adversary in Simo’s career, requiring her to navigate a complex medical journey. The condition, often misdiagnosed due to its overlapping symptoms with other disorders, has demanded a delicate balance between work and recovery. For years, she managed her responsibilities while dealing with the physical and emotional toll of the disease. “There’s no universal cure, but I’ve learned that taking care of myself is the foundation of everything else,” she said. This realization has led to a shift in her approach to leadership, emphasizing patience and holistic well-being over relentless productivity.

Rejecting Medical Leave and the Lessons Learned

During her tenure at Facebook, Simo’s illness became a test of her work ethic. Despite doctors and colleagues urging her to take a step back, she chose to continue pushing forward. Two years after her diagnosis, the company offered her a full year of medical leave, which she declined without hesitation. “I didn’t even think about it,” she recalled, revealing her then-idealistic belief that success required constant effort. However, this decision has since weighed on her, as the advice from Zuck to “play the long game” has taken on new meaning in her current role.

The phrase “Zuck told me to play the long game” encapsulates a broader lesson about strategic patience in the tech industry. While Simo’s career has been marked by rapid progress, her recent journey underscores the value of taking time to recharge. “It’s easy to focus on the next big goal, but sometimes the hardest choice is to pause and reassess,” she reflected. This sentiment resonates with many in the field, where the pressure to innovate quickly can often overshadow long-term health and balance.

A New Chapter: Advisory Role and Future Focus

With her transition to a part-time advisory role at OpenAI, Simo is embracing a slower, more deliberate approach to leadership. This shift allows her to focus on recovery while continuing to contribute her expertise. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, praised her decision, stating on X: “We hope she recovers quickly and finds renewed strength in her work.” Simo’s experience has also inspired her to advocate for a more mindful pace in tech, where the long game strategy is increasingly relevant for sustainable growth.

Professional Journey and Contributions to Innovation

Before joining OpenAI, Simo built a reputation as a transformative leader in the tech sector. Her tenure at Instacart, where she helped scale the company into a major player in the grocery delivery space, and her earlier work at Facebook, where she oversaw the evolution of the flagship app, highlight her ability to drive large-scale change. Beyond her corporate roles, she has served on the boards of Shopify, Cirque du Soleil, and OpenAI, and co-founded organizations like the Metrodora Institute and ChronicleBio. These experiences have equipped her with a unique perspective on innovation and leadership, which she now applies to her recovery and future projects.

“Zuck told me to play the long game” is no longer just a reminder of past advice—it’s a guiding principle for her current endeavors. Simo’s story serves as a powerful example of how even the most successful professionals can learn from their setbacks. As she focuses on rebuilding her strength and redefining her approach to work, her journey offers valuable insights for others navigating the demands of the tech industry. By embracing the long game, she hopes to create a more balanced path for future achievements, both personal and professional.