The finance industry has gone from intuitively exploiting behavioral biases, to endlessly labeling them, to discussing how to “correct” them, to (finally) start talking about how to work productively with people who are inherently… people. Messy, regular, (sometimes self-aware) people. Richard Thaler, long a lighthouse on these BeFi seas, said it beautifully in his book … Continue reading Behavioral Problems Need Behavioral Solutions
Category: books
Berry Gordy – Invest In Your People
Before there was Motown Records, there was Pop and Bertha Berry. This is a story about investing in your people. The entrepreneurial couple had grocery stores, contracting businesses, and an insurance agency on their list of accomplishments. None of them became Fortune 500 companies, but the companies were theirs. The ethos came from Booker T. … Continue reading Berry Gordy – Invest In Your People
Respectful Disagreement (And Andy Warhol Disses)
We need friends who we both respect AND can disagree with. Because there’s no growth without resistance. Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe were that type of friends. They were also upward-bound artists. Mapplethorpe loved Andy Warhol and wanted to be a part of his scene. Smith didn’t feel the same. But they were still deeply … Continue reading Respectful Disagreement (And Andy Warhol Disses)
Applying Les McKeown’s “Predictable Success” Map
Before we dive in: this is a slightly longer note than normal because I needed to riff on one of my favorite “business” books, "Predictable Success." One of my goals for 2023 is to write more posts about things I reference all of the time but don’t have an anchor - like this - to … Continue reading Applying Les McKeown’s “Predictable Success” Map
Malcolm Gladwell’s “Never Say I Think This Is Bad” Rule
Malcolm Gladwell never says “I think this thing is bad.” There’s just too many times he’s thought something sucked or wasn’t that interesting or was annoying, But then (!) A day, a year, a decade later - holy crap, how’d I miss this?! (I know this feeling - so, so well) Gladwell’s rule is to … Continue reading Malcolm Gladwell’s “Never Say I Think This Is Bad” Rule
Podcast Of The Week: Rubin On Rubin (And Gladwell On Rubin Too)
Rick Rubin’s book, The Creative Act, is out now. Here’s him and Malcolm Gladwell discussing it. You’ll likely continue to hear a bit about this one - Rubin’s got just a bit of influence on me (and my lifelong fascination with him apparently only grows with the years).
It’s Not Done Until It Has 8ish Mistakes
When the work has no mistakes, it’s definitely not done. When it has five mistakes it’s still not there. Once it has either or so mistakes, it might be done. We get hung up on perfection, but the the soulfulness of imperfections is what makes all types of creative works special. Rick Rubin says you … Continue reading It’s Not Done Until It Has 8ish Mistakes
Self-Expression Is Not About You
Self-Expression Is Not About You A Rick Rubin-ism: Self-expression is not about you. Everything we are comes from outside of us first. We’re a container, storing up the stuff we’re surrounded by. Making the connections between each piece we take in. Externally, we take the collections. Internally, we make the connections. Self-expression doesn’t start with … Continue reading Self-Expression Is Not About You
You Don’t Just FIND The Answer, You Have To NOTICE It
This comment is basically the story of my self-diagnosed, ADHD-laden life: You don’t go find the answer, you notice it. It’s right around you. So stop being occupied with it and look around. It’s not internal and deliberate, it’s external and unconscious. Drink the coffee, read the book, listen to the podcast, stare out the … Continue reading You Don’t Just FIND The Answer, You Have To NOTICE It
Dave Grohl’s Tip On How To Get ANYTHING (From A Musician At Least)
“If you want something from a musician - ask their girlfriend.” - Dave Grohl* *Noted on his behalf and from experience, this is not gender specific. If you want someone who is a little all over the place to do something, ask the person who gets them to focus. It’s really not about musicians at … Continue reading Dave Grohl’s Tip On How To Get ANYTHING (From A Musician At Least)