“Don’t wait for perfection…”: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s Jiu-Jitsu Mantra is reshaping Meta and himself

Once caricatured as a robotic tech executive,

Meta

CEO Mark Zuckerberg has undergone a striking transformation—one he credits not to a boardroom epiphany, but to the mat of a

Jiu-Jitsu

gym.In a revealing 2023 interview with Lex Fridman, Zuckerberg shared how the martial art taught him to embrace discomfort, failure, and even public embarrassment. “Your ability to keep doing interesting things is your willingness to be embarrassed,” he said, explaining how grappling as a beginner reshaped his leadership philosophy.

From humility to innovation

Zuckerberg’s Jiu-Jitsu lessons weren’t just physical—they became a metaphor for Meta’s evolving strategy. Rather than waiting for perfection, he began championing rapid product releases to gather real-world feedback. This mindset fueled Meta’s ambitious long-term projects, from

virtual reality

to generative AI.Image overhaul: From hoodie to high fashion

The shift wasn’t just internal. After years of criticism—especially following the Cambridge Analytica scandal—Zuckerberg leaned into personal reinvention. Meta CEO He competed in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, appeared on podcasts with self-deprecating humour, and ditched his signature hoodie for tailored designer wear.Meta’s “Year of Efficiency” in 2023 marked a turning point. The company’s stock rebounded, and Zuckerberg’s reputation as a disciplined, focused leader began to solidify. By 2024, he was no longer apologizing for issues he felt weren’t Meta’s fault—signaling a more assertive public persona.

Meta’s political pivot

In 2025, with Donald Trump back in the White House, Zuckerberg’s leadership took a more conservative turn. Meta ended third-party fact-checking, introduced “community notes,” and appointed UFC CEO Dana White to its board. Policy chief Nick Clegg was replaced by Joel Kaplan, a former GOP lobbyist.The company also scaled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives—a move that sparked internal dissent but drew praise from some political circles. Critics argue that Meta’s shift reflects broader tensions between tech platforms and regulatory pressures.