In this conversation with Robert Greene, the author of five New York Times bestsellers, he discusses the timeless appeal of his first book, 'The 48 Laws of Power.' He introduces the concepts of 'alive time' and 'dead time,' advocating for a life filled with meaningful experiences. Greene reveals the essential skill that determines success and shares his unique research methods, including his note card system. He emphasizes the importance of disciplined writing routines and the power of brevity in communication, stressing how to optimize personal growth.
Robert Greene's book 'The 48 Laws of Power' gained popularity due to its timeless and candid approach in revealing power dynamics in different aspects of life.
The success of 'The 48 Laws of Power' opened doors for Robert Greene to consult with influential individuals, enriching his understanding of power and contributing to personal growth.
Indirect approaches, such as the flanking maneuver, can provide a psychological advantage in various aspects of life, enabling one to gain the upper hand and avoid direct confrontation.
Deep dives
The Success of 'The 48 Laws of Power'
Robert Greene's book, 'The 48 Laws of Power,' initially had a slow start in terms of sales but later gained momentum and sold over a million copies in the US alone. The book's longevity can be attributed to its timeless and classic nature. Greene's in-depth research and analysis of power, along with his candid and realistic approach, have resonated with readers. By exposing the truth about power dynamics in various arenas of life, the book provides a refreshing perspective that stands out from other self-help books.
The Impact of Writing 'The 48 Laws of Power'
Writing 'The 48 Laws of Power' brought about a slow but significant transformation in Robert Greene's life. The success of the book attracted attention and opened doors for him to consult with influential individuals in music, politics, and business. Through these interactions, Greene gained deeper insights into the power dynamics at play in different fields. The experience not only enriched his understanding of power but also contributed to his personal growth and sophistication. He now incorporates the lessons learned from those interactions into his subsequent books.
Upcoming Book on Human Nature
Robert Greene is currently working on his latest book, which focuses on human nature. It aims to explore various timeless aspects of human behavior, such as aggression, envy, irrationality, narcissism, and more. By delving into these darker aspects of human nature, Greene intends to provide readers with a deeper understanding of themselves and others. The book aims to shed light on what motivates people and expose common misconceptions by presenting practical insights into human psychology. It will serve as a comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of human interactions.
Importance of Indirect Approach in Life and Business
The podcast discusses the concept of the flanking maneuver used by Napoleon as a strategy in war, and how it can be applied to life and business. The guest speaker shares a personal example of applying the flanking maneuver to his career in the software industry, emphasizing the psychological advantage of approaching situations indirectly. By surprising others with unexpected approaches, such as seduction or sales tactics, one can gain the upper hand and avoid direct confrontation. The key takeaway is to understand the power of indirect approaches and their relevance in various aspects of life.
Time Management and Deep Work for Productivity
The podcast highlights the importance of time management and deep work for achieving productivity and success. The speaker discusses his own writing process, which involves rigorous meditation, daily exercise, and focused writing for three hours each day. By adhering to routines and maximizing deep work time, he is able to generate ideas and make progress on his books. The speaker also emphasizes the need to guard one's time by saying no to distractions and external demands. The concept of keeping people dependent on you and the power of talking less are also discussed as strategies for maintaining focus and productivity. Overall, the importance of owning one's time and making the most of it is emphasized.
In this episode of The Knowledge Project, I have the brilliant Robert Greene. Robert is the
author of 5 New York Times bestsellers, including The 48 Laws of Power and The 33 Strategies of War. He's also written on mastery and seduction.
Robert’s books have been somewhat controversial over the years and have been called amoral, cunning, and even ruthless for what they reveal. Yet millions of readers, from mid-level managers to hip-hop royalty and corporate executives have revered his work as a sort of canonized scripture for the ambitious.
In this conversation, we cover a lot of ground, including:
Why Robert believes his first book, 48 Laws of Power has continued to sell steadily for over two decades.
What Robert calls “alive time” and “dead time” and how we can optimize each day to be filled with “alive time” and live the life we’re proud of
The one skill that determines how far you’ll get in life, no matter how talented you are in anything else
Robert’s research method and how he finds such unique and interesting examples
What Robert looks for when he reads, and what qualities separate good books from excellent books
How Robert developed his famous note card system to extract the meat out of anything he reads
Why Robert insists on writing all his notes longhand even though it’s less convenient and less accessible than taking notes digitally
What Robert’s daily routine looks like, particularly when he’s writing and researching for a new book
What Robert considers to be the single greatest power any human has, and what we can do to strengthen it
How having unfettered access to information is actually making us dumber in very important ways and what we can do about it
How to fine tune your “bullshit detector” so you’re able to tell the difference between pretenders and performers. (As a bonus, Robert shares a few ways you can improve your bullshitting skills when it becomes necessary)
And a lot more.
Plus, Robert gives us a sneak peek into his newest project, The Laws of Human Nature, which explores the hidden motivations that drive what we do and say.
This interview is packed to the brim with interesting and actionable insights that I think you’re going to love. Grab a pen, a notebook, and a glass of wine and enjoy!
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