00:00

He was vicious in business. I mean, he would basically go out and buy all these small oil refineries.

He was vicious in business. I mean, he would basically go out and buy all these small oil refineries.

00:06

And, if they didn't sell, he goes, hey, look, I'm gonna write you a fair deal.

And, if they didn't sell, he goes, hey, look, I'm gonna write you a fair deal.

00:11

If you don't take my offer, I'm gonna crush you. I'll show you all my accounting and all my revenue so you know I'm gonna crush you. So I would think take this deal so we can get rich together. Otherwise, you're dead.

If you don't take my offer, I'm gonna crush you. I'll show you all my accounting and all my revenue so you know I'm gonna crush you. So I would think take this deal so we can get rich together. Otherwise, you're dead.

00:30

Alright. What's happening? A lot of people have been asking me about what I've been reading lately because I've read a lot of amazing books, and I wanna do a quick pod, a quick episode that explains what I'm reading and how it relates to business. Most of these books, we're only gonna go through three or four of them. Most of these books are not business related. But there's a lot of learnings for business people. I actually don't read business books. I haven't read a business book in, like,

Alright. What's happening? A lot of people have been asking me about what I've been reading lately because I've read a lot of amazing books, and I wanna do a quick pod, a quick episode that explains what I'm reading and how it relates to business. Most of these books, we're only gonna go through three or four of them. Most of these books are not business related. But there's a lot of learnings for business people. I actually don't read business books. I haven't read a business book in, like,

00:56

five years. They bore me.

five years. They bore me.

00:58

And lately, I've been reading a ton of, like, adventure stuff. So things about, like,

And lately, I've been reading a ton of, like, adventure stuff. So things about, like,

01:04

oh, when Americans expanded west or about people

oh, when Americans expanded west or about people

01:08

discovering,

discovering,

01:09

North America or

North America or

01:12

ship stories and pirates. I love that type of stuff. The reason I love that type of stuff is because it basic makes my daily life, it turns the volume down. It's kinda like I like the box, and I like to, like, get into adventures and things like that because it makes my day to day which is mostly work and business stuff, it makes it way easier because I'm like, damn, I just read this story about shackleton and how I

ship stories and pirates. I love that type of stuff. The reason I love that type of stuff is because it basic makes my daily life, it turns the volume down. It's kinda like I like the box, and I like to, like, get into adventures and things like that because it makes my day to day which is mostly work and business stuff, it makes it way easier because I'm like, damn, I just read this story about shackleton and how I

01:36

got deserted on Antarctica for two years, this business stuff is easy. So I like things like that. And so here are three or four books that I've read lately, that I've had huge impacts on my day to day with business, and I'm gonna explain how and why they did that. So the first one is called on

got deserted on Antarctica for two years, this business stuff is easy. So I like things like that. And so here are three or four books that I've read lately, that I've had huge impacts on my day to day with business, and I'm gonna explain how and why they did that. So the first one is called on

01:54

undaunted courage. It's a story of Lewis and Clark.

undaunted courage. It's a story of Lewis and Clark.

01:58

If you're an American,

If you're an American,

01:59

If you're not American, I actually don't know what you know about Lewis and Clark. If you're an American, you've heard that term Lewis and Clark, and you know that they were people to guys that kinda, like, were sent to discover the west, well, this story kinda dives deep on it. And it's a story about, in, like, I believe eighteen o four. So is this guy named Maryweather Lewis and William Clark,

If you're not American, I actually don't know what you know about Lewis and Clark. If you're an American, you've heard that term Lewis and Clark, and you know that they were people to guys that kinda, like, were sent to discover the west, well, this story kinda dives deep on it. And it's a story about, in, like, I believe eighteen o four. So is this guy named Maryweather Lewis and William Clark,

02:20

they were tasked by Thomas Jefferson to start in Saint Louis and to discover the the the west of the country. At this point, Jefferson had just bought a a bunch of what is now the western part of America from Napoleon.

they were tasked by Thomas Jefferson to start in Saint Louis and to discover the the the west of the country. At this point, Jefferson had just bought a a bunch of what is now the western part of America from Napoleon.

02:35

And,

And,

02:36

of course, Indians and Native Americans, they knew all about it, but no American had actually been

of course, Indians and Native Americans, they knew all about it, but no American had actually been

02:42

really too far west of the Mississippi.

really too far west of the Mississippi.

02:45

And so what's interesting is that Lewis who is the main guy. Lewis was kind of the captain of the ship. He took thirty folks. So him and, William Clark took thirty folks

And so what's interesting is that Lewis who is the main guy. Lewis was kind of the captain of the ship. He took thirty folks. So him and, William Clark took thirty folks

02:56

and they went to California and back.

and they went to California and back.

03:00

But no one had ever done that at the time, and what's amazing is that Maryweather Lewis was only thirty one years old. I thought that that was incredibly impressive, and they took two years to do it. So imagine going off on, like, a two year hiking trip and a place you've never been, not knowing what you're gonna find,

But no one had ever done that at the time, and what's amazing is that Maryweather Lewis was only thirty one years old. I thought that that was incredibly impressive, and they took two years to do it. So imagine going off on, like, a two year hiking trip and a place you've never been, not knowing what you're gonna find,

03:14

and hoping that you come back. And I found that to be, such a good book. The first big thing that I learned is punishment

and hoping that you come back. And I found that to be, such a good book. The first big thing that I learned is punishment

03:21

is necessary. And so

is necessary. And so

03:23

In today's kinda like tech culture, I think,

In today's kinda like tech culture, I think,

03:27

I used to joke about Hubspot, the company that bought mine.

I used to joke about Hubspot, the company that bought mine.

03:30

I was like, you guys are too nice, man. You guys are, like, way too friendly.

I was like, you guys are too nice, man. You guys are, like, way too friendly.

03:34

And I think that that's, like, a common theme with, like, most tech companies. It's they're way too friendly. They're way too nice.

And I think that that's, like, a common theme with, like, most tech companies. It's they're way too friendly. They're way too nice.

03:42

And I can't stand that. And I think I fall victim to that as well. The reason being is

And I can't stand that. And I think I fall victim to that as well. The reason being is

03:48

when I read this book, there's just some, like, a bunch of different stories. So imagine just a thirty one year old Lewis,

when I read this book, there's just some, like, a bunch of different stories. So imagine just a thirty one year old Lewis,

03:55

and only thirty guys. It's easy to get, like, chummy with them. But he was really, really strict. And so there's a story about how they had to set up a a a fort during the wintertime, and they set it up along with these Native Americans who they got to know. And they set up this fort, and they built this wall. And one of Louis's men at nighttime hopped over the fence after he had just gotten done, hang out with the Indians,

and only thirty guys. It's easy to get, like, chummy with them. But he was really, really strict. And so there's a story about how they had to set up a a a fort during the wintertime, and they set it up along with these Native Americans who they got to know. And they set up this fort, and they built this wall. And one of Louis's men at nighttime hopped over the fence after he had just gotten done, hang out with the Indians,

04:17

and an Indian saw him and also hopped the fence. And they're like, hey, man, you can't be here. This is just our space, whatever.

and an Indian saw him and also hopped the fence. And they're like, hey, man, you can't be here. This is just our space, whatever.

04:23

And the next morning, Lewis heard about it, and they whipped

And the next morning, Lewis heard about it, and they whipped

04:27

they're a guy five hundred times. It's called Blashing. So they basically tied him to a tree and whipped him five hundred times, and which is like a horrible punishment And that's, like, an extreme punishment. But the reason he did it was because he's, like, look, you just, a, you broke the rule. We said you can't climb this fence. And, b, now they know that they're allowed to do that too. And so he had really, really strict rules.

they're a guy five hundred times. It's called Blashing. So they basically tied him to a tree and whipped him five hundred times, and which is like a horrible punishment And that's, like, an extreme punishment. But the reason he did it was because he's, like, look, you just, a, you broke the rule. We said you can't climb this fence. And, b, now they know that they're allowed to do that too. And so he had really, really strict rules.

04:49

But that sounds like crazy. Like, why would you do something like that

But that sounds like crazy. Like, why would you do something like that

04:53

that bad, but basically his point was, look, discipline breeds excellence.

that bad, but basically his point was, look, discipline breeds excellence.

04:59

And I have to have strict rules, and I have to punish people in front of others when they've done something wrong. So everyone knows, here's the line. Don't cross it. But also, by enforcing these strict rules, it's gonna make people know that, like, what our standards are. And so there's just another TV show I've just started watching. It's called,

And I have to have strict rules, and I have to punish people in front of others when they've done something wrong. So everyone knows, here's the line. Don't cross it. But also, by enforcing these strict rules, it's gonna make people know that, like, what our standards are. And so there's just another TV show I've just started watching. It's called,

05:15

bear. The bear. It's about this guy who's got this,

bear. The bear. It's about this guy who's got this,

05:19

diner in Chicago

diner in Chicago

05:21

And he basically it's kind of like a crappy diner, and he's trying to, like, step it up. And so he sends his cousin

And he basically it's kind of like a crappy diner, and he's trying to, like, step it up. And so he sends his cousin

05:26

to work at this fancy restaurant that's known for their strict discipline, and the cousin gets to the restaurant that's really strict. And he's like, dude, this is bullshit. I'm not following all these rules. They have all these rules about, like, you can't talk to you can't talk to your coworkers in front of the guests. You have to be you only can pay attention to them, or I don't want you

to work at this fancy restaurant that's known for their strict discipline, and the cousin gets to the restaurant that's really strict. And he's like, dude, this is bullshit. I'm not following all these rules. They have all these rules about, like, you can't talk to you can't talk to your coworkers in front of the guests. You have to be you only can pay attention to them, or I don't want you

05:44

or you have to, like, polish the forks your first week of work, and you gotta spend three hours polishing the forks because the forks can't have any watermarks on them. Eventually,

or you have to, like, polish the forks your first week of work, and you gotta spend three hours polishing the forks because the forks can't have any watermarks on them. Eventually,

05:52

at the end of the week, he's like, man, I love this. I wish I I crave this discipline because what this does is it lets me know where the rules are, what the boundaries are, and it gives me a straightforward path that I can go on, and it creates this,

at the end of the week, he's like, man, I love this. I wish I I crave this discipline because what this does is it lets me know where the rules are, what the boundaries are, and it gives me a straightforward path that I can go on, and it creates this,

06:04

this this culture of discipline and excellence. And I love that. And so a big takeaway from this book is you have to have punishment in order to trade discipline. I think that in our culture right now with tech, we are way too forgiving about certain things and it just reminded me that, like, firing people and things like that. I actually think it's necessary. The second thing is finding your personal product market fit. So Lewis was

this this culture of discipline and excellence. And I love that. And so a big takeaway from this book is you have to have punishment in order to trade discipline. I think that in our culture right now with tech, we are way too forgiving about certain things and it just reminded me that, like, firing people and things like that. I actually think it's necessary. The second thing is finding your personal product market fit. So Lewis was

06:28

an outdoorsman his whole life. And then he eventually had somewhat like an office job. So he worked with Thomas Jefferson, where he

an outdoorsman his whole life. And then he eventually had somewhat like an office job. So he worked with Thomas Jefferson, where he

06:36

like, was, like, his, I don't remember what his title is, but he would just be inside the house all day with Jefferson, like, helping him create new laws and how to be diplomatic and things like that.

like, was, like, his, I don't remember what his title is, but he would just be inside the house all day with Jefferson, like, helping him create new laws and how to be diplomatic and things like that.

06:45

And he has this great line in this book. He says,

And he has this great line in this book. He says,

06:49

the the author says, on his thirty first birthday, Lewis Rowe in a famous passage,

the the author says, on his thirty first birthday, Lewis Rowe in a famous passage,

06:54

The day I completed my thirty first year, I reflected that I had yet as done, but little, very little indeed, to further the happiness of the human race.

The day I completed my thirty first year, I reflected that I had yet as done, but little, very little indeed, to further the happiness of the human race.

07:03

I've viewed with regret the hours that I've spent in idleness and now sorely feel that the want of that information,

I've viewed with regret the hours that I've spent in idleness and now sorely feel that the want of that information,

07:10

which those hours would have given me has been judicious judiciously expended. Meaning, he's like, I've wasted my time. I have to act. And I really appreciate that that he, like, said, look, I've been a total waste up until now. Now I'm gonna get after it, and this is my mission. And so finding your personal product market We talk about finding your product market fit with your company. I think you have to find your personal product market fit. And so I found that to be incredibly inspiring. And the last thing from this book He understood

which those hours would have given me has been judicious judiciously expended. Meaning, he's like, I've wasted my time. I have to act. And I really appreciate that that he, like, said, look, I've been a total waste up until now. Now I'm gonna get after it, and this is my mission. And so finding your personal product market We talk about finding your product market fit with your company. I think you have to find your personal product market fit. And so I found that to be incredibly inspiring. And the last thing from this book He understood

07:40

that

that

07:41

the people that you're leading, each of them have individual traits, and you have to figure out those traits and use that to motivate people. When I was first starting in business. I did a really bad job of understanding that every person is unique,

the people that you're leading, each of them have individual traits, and you have to figure out those traits and use that to motivate people. When I was first starting in business. I did a really bad job of understanding that every person is unique,

07:54

and I used to think that I could just tell them what to do. That's not the case.

and I used to think that I could just tell them what to do. That's not the case.

07:59

And so in this book, there's this great line where he says Lewis had a sense, a feel for how his family was doing. He knew exactly when to take a break, When you issue a deal, when you push for more, when to encourage, when to inspire,

And so in this book, there's this great line where he says Lewis had a sense, a feel for how his family was doing. He knew exactly when to take a break, When you issue a deal, when you push for more, when to encourage, when to inspire,

08:13

when to tell a joke, when to be tough. He knew how to keep a distance from himself and the men and just how big it should be. And he did a really good job of figuring out what motivated each person, and that has taught me that I should probably do same. Before I was like, you're kind of all just a bunch of robots to me. It's just human capital.

when to tell a joke, when to be tough. He knew how to keep a distance from himself and the men and just how big it should be. And he did a really good job of figuring out what motivated each person, and that has taught me that I should probably do same. Before I was like, you're kind of all just a bunch of robots to me. It's just human capital.

08:31

Instead, in order to be a great leader, particularly like Lewis, have to do a good job of figuring out what motivates people in creating rewards, creating punishment in order to fit each person, and hopefully making your whole crew better.

Instead, in order to be a great leader, particularly like Lewis, have to do a good job of figuring out what motivates people in creating rewards, creating punishment in order to fit each person, and hopefully making your whole crew better.

08:43

The second book that I recommend, it's called the operator, and it's by Robert O'Neil, and it's about

The second book that I recommend, it's called the operator, and it's by Robert O'Neil, and it's about

08:49

the time when

the time when

08:51

seal team six was deployed to go and kill Bin Laden. And I love reading these these, like, army and military books, but there's this great line. So, basically,

seal team six was deployed to go and kill Bin Laden. And I love reading these these, like, army and military books, but there's this great line. So, basically,

09:03

Robert O'Neil and his and name, team seal team six, they were deployed on this helicopter, and they were on their way to Bin Laden pound pound.

Robert O'Neil and his and name, team seal team six, they were deployed on this helicopter, and they were on their way to Bin Laden pound pound.

09:13

And he said, once we get on this mission, we weren't we knew that we weren't gonna see our kids again or kiss our wives. Will never eat another steak or smoke another cigar.

And he said, once we get on this mission, we weren't we knew that we weren't gonna see our kids again or kiss our wives. Will never eat another steak or smoke another cigar.

09:23

And there's this, like,

And there's this, like,

09:25

thing about, like, he's going to on this helicopter

thing about, like, he's going to on this helicopter

09:29

and he knows or he thinks that he's never gonna come back and survive or see his family again. And I found that, like, so encouraging because

and he knows or he thinks that he's never gonna come back and survive or see his family again. And I found that, like, so encouraging because

09:37

sometimes I'm afraid to tweet something or I'm afraid to, like, start a business or I'm afraid to make a phone call when these guys are, like, going to, like,

sometimes I'm afraid to tweet something or I'm afraid to, like, start a business or I'm afraid to make a phone call when these guys are, like, going to, like,

09:46

they it's a suicide mission. They think that they're getting dropped off in Bin Laden's compound and they're gonna kill him and but then they're gonna die. And I was like, man, if these guys could do this, I could do this other stuff. That's no big deal. And so I find, like, a lot of inspiration from little stories like that. There's this other thing in the book where this other story in the book where,

they it's a suicide mission. They think that they're getting dropped off in Bin Laden's compound and they're gonna kill him and but then they're gonna die. And I was like, man, if these guys could do this, I could do this other stuff. That's no big deal. And so I find, like, a lot of inspiration from little stories like that. There's this other thing in the book where this other story in the book where,

10:05

basically, they figured out where they thought Bin Laden was, and it was like this compound. Imagine, like,

basically, they figured out where they thought Bin Laden was, and it was like this compound. Imagine, like,

10:11

an eight house, an eight room mansion surrounded by a big fence. And so they did this thing where they built

an eight house, an eight room mansion surrounded by a big fence. And so they did this thing where they built

10:19

a a model of this house, and they spent weeks running through the house and, like, saying, alright, at this point, you're going to run this many steps, then that's when the room is gonna open here. You're likely gonna find these people in the room, but then you're gonna do this. And they're like, did it so much that they knew how many steps they were gonna take, they knew how many seconds each thing were was gonna take, and they planned like crazy. But here's the thing, When they landed the helicopter into the compound, it crashed. So from the second the mission started,

a a model of this house, and they spent weeks running through the house and, like, saying, alright, at this point, you're going to run this many steps, then that's when the room is gonna open here. You're likely gonna find these people in the room, but then you're gonna do this. And they're like, did it so much that they knew how many steps they were gonna take, they knew how many seconds each thing were was gonna take, and they planned like crazy. But here's the thing, When they landed the helicopter into the compound, it crashed. So from the second the mission started,

10:47

the whole plan got thrown off the the door, and everything got screwed up. But there's this thing called commander's intent. A commander's intent is when, the intent of the outcome is clear. So you have to verbalize it. You have to write it down. You have to say, I'm going to or the out the desired outcome is x, y, and z.

the whole plan got thrown off the the door, and everything got screwed up. But there's this thing called commander's intent. A commander's intent is when, the intent of the outcome is clear. So you have to verbalize it. You have to write it down. You have to say, I'm going to or the out the desired outcome is x, y, and z.

11:04

And the reason you plan, even though you know the plan is gonna go to shit, the reason you plan is because, a, when something does go to shit, you have something to fall back on. And, b, it gives your men or your your your employees. It gives them confidence that, like, look, it's gonna be okay. We've we've sought the details But when it doesn't go okay, you know what the commander's intent is. And I think that for me, with my first business, I remember starting at And I said, by the age of thirty, I wanna have this much money.

And the reason you plan, even though you know the plan is gonna go to shit, the reason you plan is because, a, when something does go to shit, you have something to fall back on. And, b, it gives your men or your your your employees. It gives them confidence that, like, look, it's gonna be okay. We've we've sought the details But when it doesn't go okay, you know what the commander's intent is. And I think that for me, with my first business, I remember starting at And I said, by the age of thirty, I wanna have this much money.

11:32

Great. That's my commander's intent. The reason I wanted this much money was I wanted, like, financial freedom and not to stress out.

Great. That's my commander's intent. The reason I wanted this much money was I wanted, like, financial freedom and not to stress out.

11:37

And then once I had my commander's intent, I created a plan, and I created the rules I was gonna follow when I created what input I needed to get to my commander's intent.

And then once I had my commander's intent, I created a plan, and I created the rules I was gonna follow when I created what input I needed to get to my commander's intent.

11:46

And as expected, a lot of things change. So I said, like, I want this much revenue by year two, this much revenue by year five, which means I could probably sell. I miss revenue on sometimes. I,

And as expected, a lot of things change. So I said, like, I want this much revenue by year two, this much revenue by year five, which means I could probably sell. I miss revenue on sometimes. I,

11:58

exceeded revenue other times. I had to fire people. I changed my value. Sometimes, like things happened along the way, But because I had my own commander's intent, I said no to everything that didn't get me to my desired outcome, and I had something to fall back on. When I was making new decisions, so I thought to myself, is this gonna get me closer to that particular goal? If yes, do it, if no, don't do it and avoid it. And so with the operator, I learned about commander's intent and,

exceeded revenue other times. I had to fire people. I changed my value. Sometimes, like things happened along the way, But because I had my own commander's intent, I said no to everything that didn't get me to my desired outcome, and I had something to fall back on. When I was making new decisions, so I thought to myself, is this gonna get me closer to that particular goal? If yes, do it, if no, don't do it and avoid it. And so with the operator, I learned about commander's intent and,

12:24

planning.

planning.

12:28

Our software is the worst. Have you heard of HubSpot?

Our software is the worst. Have you heard of HubSpot?

12:31

See, most CRMs are a cobbled together mess, but HubSpot is easy to adopt and actually looks gorgeous.

See, most CRMs are a cobbled together mess, but HubSpot is easy to adopt and actually looks gorgeous.

12:38

Our new CRM. Our software is the best. HubSpot.

Our new CRM. Our software is the best. HubSpot.

12:42

Girl Better.

Girl Better.

12:43

In the last book,

In the last book,

12:45

I lied and said it I didn't read a lot of business books. This one's kind of business y. It's called Titan. And it's about, the biography of John Rockefeller. John Rockefeller was a businessman in the late eighteen hundreds all the way to, like, nineteen thirty or so. He created standard oil. So standard oil, it's hard to compare what it is nowadays because it was so big, but the offshoots of standard oil. So standard oil was eventually broken up. And so in the nineteen thirties,

I lied and said it I didn't read a lot of business books. This one's kind of business y. It's called Titan. And it's about, the biography of John Rockefeller. John Rockefeller was a businessman in the late eighteen hundreds all the way to, like, nineteen thirty or so. He created standard oil. So standard oil, it's hard to compare what it is nowadays because it was so big, but the offshoots of standard oil. So standard oil was eventually broken up. And so in the nineteen thirties,

13:13

Teddy Roosevelt made monopolies illegal, and they did it because of standard oil. The offshoots of standard oil, which they broke up. It's like b I believe it's BP.

Teddy Roosevelt made monopolies illegal, and they did it because of standard oil. The offshoots of standard oil, which they broke up. It's like b I believe it's BP.

13:23

It's Exxon, it's Conoco, it's mobile. All those companies came from standard oil. It was as if Amazon,

It's Exxon, it's Conoco, it's mobile. All those companies came from standard oil. It was as if Amazon,

13:30

Facebook, and Google were one company. It basically

Facebook, and Google were one company. It basically

13:33

accounted for a huge percentage of the economy.

accounted for a huge percentage of the economy.

13:36

John Rockefeller, though, you think of this guy, or you think of a business person nowadays as being this, like, really vicious person, and he was kind of vicious, but he was very interesting in that he broke a lot of stereotypes in my head.

John Rockefeller, though, you think of this guy, or you think of a business person nowadays as being this, like, really vicious person, and he was kind of vicious, but he was very interesting in that he broke a lot of stereotypes in my head.

13:50

A few interesting lines from that book.

A few interesting lines from that book.

13:53

One, he said I would rather earn one percent off a hundred people's efforts than a hundred percent of my own efforts. And so right now on Twitter and in my world, we're seeing lots of things about solo businesses. And so a lot of people take pride in solo businesses.

One, he said I would rather earn one percent off a hundred people's efforts than a hundred percent of my own efforts. And so right now on Twitter and in my world, we're seeing lots of things about solo businesses. And so a lot of people take pride in solo businesses.

14:09

And I think many times they're great. But I have one big issue

And I think many times they're great. But I have one big issue

14:13

with them, which is if you're a solo business, that means you're the only one doing all of the work. And John Rockefeller in that line where he talks about one percent of other people versus a hundred percent of his, that kinda changed my thinking where it's significantly better, even if someone is good as you. It's better to have a handful of those people doing a lot of the work versus only you doing the work.

with them, which is if you're a solo business, that means you're the only one doing all of the work. And John Rockefeller in that line where he talks about one percent of other people versus a hundred percent of his, that kinda changed my thinking where it's significantly better, even if someone is good as you. It's better to have a handful of those people doing a lot of the work versus only you doing the work.

14:34

That, I kinda changed my thinking on on on what it means to be a solid business because I'm like, I would way rather have,

That, I kinda changed my thinking on on on what it means to be a solid business because I'm like, I would way rather have,

14:43

a bunch of people doing a little bit he has this other one. It says the ability to deal with people is a per is as purchable purchasable a commodity as sugar and coffee.

a bunch of people doing a little bit he has this other one. It says the ability to deal with people is a per is as purchable purchasable a commodity as sugar and coffee.

14:53

And I pay more for that ability than any other under the sun. And I thought that was interesting because I'm not the best manager But I can hire good managers. And so that kinda, like, got rid of the the blocker ahead of my head of, like, well, if he says that hiring people is good, I'm not great at managing them. Oh, cool. I can hire people to manage them. So that was, like, really useful for me. He also has this, great learning about gaining a skill. So I'm a huge fan of telling people, look, before you start a company or before you go in, and try and do your own thing,

And I pay more for that ability than any other under the sun. And I thought that was interesting because I'm not the best manager But I can hire good managers. And so that kinda, like, got rid of the the blocker ahead of my head of, like, well, if he says that hiring people is good, I'm not great at managing them. Oh, cool. I can hire people to manage them. So that was, like, really useful for me. He also has this, great learning about gaining a skill. So I'm a huge fan of telling people, look, before you start a company or before you go in, and try and do your own thing,

15:25

You need to learn a skill. In my case, it was copywriting. I'm a big fan of copywriting, but he's got this great line

You need to learn a skill. In my case, it was copywriting. I'm a big fan of copywriting, but he's got this great line

15:31

where he talks about his time as an accountant. So from the ages of sixteen to, like, nineteen or twenty, he was an accountant for a small firm. That's where he learned about operations.

where he talks about his time as an accountant. So from the ages of sixteen to, like, nineteen or twenty, he was an accountant for a small firm. That's where he learned about operations.

15:41

And where he learned about, like, where does money come from? How should it be accounted for? How do, great operations look like? He's got this great line where he goes, oh, how blessed the young men are who have struggled a foundation in the beginning of life. I'll never cease to be, grateful for the three and a half years I spent as an apprentice. And so that's where he learns all about, the the the the the ability to overcome, to adapt, to get a skill. And so that kinda changed my life. There's this other great book called Mass by Robert Green, and the whole book is about on how you should develop a skill because in learning that skill, it teaches you in, how to master something and it also opens doors for you. And you could use that skill in other unrelated fields, and that's how you become incredibly successful. I'm a big fan of learning skill and John Rockefeller is one of the guys who taught me the importance of that. I used to think being a generalist was good, not anymore. I don't think that anymore, and it's because of this book, Titan.

And where he learned about, like, where does money come from? How should it be accounted for? How do, great operations look like? He's got this great line where he goes, oh, how blessed the young men are who have struggled a foundation in the beginning of life. I'll never cease to be, grateful for the three and a half years I spent as an apprentice. And so that's where he learns all about, the the the the the ability to overcome, to adapt, to get a skill. And so that kinda changed my life. There's this other great book called Mass by Robert Green, and the whole book is about on how you should develop a skill because in learning that skill, it teaches you in, how to master something and it also opens doors for you. And you could use that skill in other unrelated fields, and that's how you become incredibly successful. I'm a big fan of learning skill and John Rockefeller is one of the guys who taught me the importance of that. I used to think being a generalist was good, not anymore. I don't think that anymore, and it's because of this book, Titan.

16:33

And the last thing, I said previously

And the last thing, I said previously

16:35

that he, was a really nice guy.

that he, was a really nice guy.

16:38

He was vicious in business. I mean, he would basically go out and buy all these small oil refineries.

He was vicious in business. I mean, he would basically go out and buy all these small oil refineries.

16:45

And, if they didn't sell, he goes, hey, look, I'm gonna write you a fair deal.

And, if they didn't sell, he goes, hey, look, I'm gonna write you a fair deal.

16:49

If you don't take my offer, I'm gonna trust you. I'll show you all my accounting and all my revenue so you know I'm gonna crush you. So I would think you should take this deal so we can get rich to get rich get we can get rich together. Otherwise, you're dead.

If you don't take my offer, I'm gonna trust you. I'll show you all my accounting and all my revenue so you know I'm gonna crush you. So I would think you should take this deal so we can get rich to get rich get we can get rich together. Otherwise, you're dead.

17:03

A lot of them took him up on that and they did get rich. Some of them, they didn't. And so he was pretty vicious, but he was pretty much nice along the way. There's a famous story about how,

A lot of them took him up on that and they did get rich. Some of them, they didn't. And so he was pretty vicious, but he was pretty much nice along the way. There's a famous story about how,

17:13

once his company got big, Rockefeller feller had this piece of exercise equipment,

once his company got big, Rockefeller feller had this piece of exercise equipment,

17:17

and he was, like, rolling the exercise equipment into the office and this accountant who hadn't recognized Rockefeller, said, Hey, you gotta get that out of here. You can't have that here. And so Rockefeller just looked at him and goes, oh, alright. I'm sorry. And he politely took the exercise equipment,

and he was, like, rolling the exercise equipment into the office and this accountant who hadn't recognized Rockefeller, said, Hey, you gotta get that out of here. You can't have that here. And so Rockefeller just looked at him and goes, oh, alright. I'm sorry. And he politely took the exercise equipment,

17:33

out of that room and moved it to another room. He didn't, like, snap back, like, do you know who I am? And I thought that that was really interesting in, like, a cool way of handling it and show that you can be a polite guy. You could be kind and vicious in business. They're not opposites.

out of that room and moved it to another room. He didn't, like, snap back, like, do you know who I am? And I thought that that was really interesting in, like, a cool way of handling it and show that you can be a polite guy. You could be kind and vicious in business. They're not opposites.

17:45

Another thing is that he famous for, like, laying down during meetings and closing his eyes because he just said, this is just easier for me to listen. And,

Another thing is that he famous for, like, laying down during meetings and closing his eyes because he just said, this is just easier for me to listen. And,

17:55

they used to, like, talk about him behind his back, and they would say, man, this guy, Rockefeller, feels like he's sleeping. Like, he doesn't even pay attention to, what we're saying in the meetings,

they used to, like, talk about him behind his back, and they would say, man, this guy, Rockefeller, feels like he's sleeping. Like, he doesn't even pay attention to, what we're saying in the meetings,

18:04

And he would say, no. I'm I'm listening.

And he would say, no. I'm I'm listening.

18:07

Like, I I choose to let everyone talk. I wanna sit back and say nothing, and I'm just gonna sit in silence at the end of the meeting, I'll say, thank you, everyone, but he just would sit and listen. He would barely talk. And someone asked him why. And he recited this poem that he would say constantly. He said, A wise, a wise old owl lived in an oak. The more he saw, the less he spoke, the less he spoke, the more he heard,

Like, I I choose to let everyone talk. I wanna sit back and say nothing, and I'm just gonna sit in silence at the end of the meeting, I'll say, thank you, everyone, but he just would sit and listen. He would barely talk. And someone asked him why. And he recited this poem that he would say constantly. He said, A wise, a wise old owl lived in an oak. The more he saw, the less he spoke, the less he spoke, the more he heard,

18:29

Why aren't we all like that old bird? And so he would, like, just sit and listen. And then when he had to make a decision, he had all types of information that he needed in order to make that

Why aren't we all like that old bird? And so he would, like, just sit and listen. And then when he had to make a decision, he had all types of information that he needed in order to make that

18:39

decision. And so I used to think that when you're, this big successful businessman, you gotta be the one doing all the talking.

decision. And so I used to think that when you're, this big successful businessman, you gotta be the one doing all the talking.

18:46

No. It's the opposite. You gotta be doing all the listening. And finally, he did a very good job of complimenting people. So whenever he saw someone,

No. It's the opposite. You gotta be doing all the listening. And finally, he did a very good job of complimenting people. So whenever he saw someone,

18:55

who was making a mistake, he was famous for complimenting them first. So, like, for example, there was this accountant,

who was making a mistake, he was famous for complimenting them first. So, like, for example, there was this accountant,

19:01

that who he had, and Rockefeller was an old, former accountant He saw a mistake. And he goes,

that who he had, and Rockefeller was an old, former accountant He saw a mistake. And he goes,

19:06

these books are very well kept. Very well indeed. However, I noticed one little small mistake right here, and it was, like, a actually a pretty big error. But he was really good at catching the mistake complimenting him first and then,

these books are very well kept. Very well indeed. However, I noticed one little small mistake right here, and it was, like, a actually a pretty big error. But he was really good at catching the mistake complimenting him first and then,

19:19

getting them to correct it because he knew that the way that you motivate people is kinda gotta make them respect you a little bit. You can't,

getting them to correct it because he knew that the way that you motivate people is kinda gotta make them respect you a little bit. You can't,

19:27

insult them in front of a bunch of people, and you did a really good job of,

insult them in front of a bunch of people, and you did a really good job of,

19:31

of handling people. And I thought that that was a really fascinating,

of handling people. And I thought that that was a really fascinating,

19:35

thing for him to do as opposed to being, like, this guy on TV shows, like, You made this big error. You're fired in front of everyone to make an ordeal out of it. So I thought that was interesting. So these are the three books,

thing for him to do as opposed to being, like, this guy on TV shows, like, You made this big error. You're fired in front of everyone to make an ordeal out of it. So I thought that was interesting. So these are the three books,

19:45

Titan, the operator,

Titan, the operator,

19:47

and undaunted courage, go and check them out. I'm a big fan of them.

and undaunted courage, go and check them out. I'm a big fan of them.

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