In this engaging conversation, Jason Fried, co-founder of 37signals and co-author of 'Rework', shares his philosophy of embracing minimalism in business. He advocates for the superpower of working less and focusing on what truly matters. Jason reflects on lessons from a silent retreat, highlighting the power of letting things happen organically. He emphasizes the importance of trust and genuine connections in both work and life, blending play with passion to foster innovation and creativity. This is a masterclass in intentional building and leading with humanity.
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Design Sparked by Financial Reports
Early exposure to well-designed financial reports sparked Jason's love for organized aesthetics and design.
Admiring his father's world helped him appreciate the harmony in data and charts visually.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Trust Shapes Behavior at Work
Working for a distrustful shoe store owner taught Jason how mistrust leads to poor behavior.
A different manager who showed trust inspired him to perform better and care more.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The $20 Bill That Inspired
Jason Fried received a $20 bill from Germany for software he made in college, which deeply moved him.
It symbolized appreciation and knowing someone valued what he created personally.
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Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson presents a fresh and unconventional approach to business. The book argues against traditional business practices such as writing business plans, seeking outside investors, and staffing up. Instead, it advocates for a simpler, more efficient way of doing business, emphasizing the importance of productivity, avoiding unnecessary meetings and paperwork, and ignoring the competition. The authors draw from their experiences at 37signals (now Basecamp) to provide practical advice and examples that support their counterintuitive ideas. The book is designed to inspire and provoke readers to rethink their approach to work and entrepreneurship.
Remote
Office Not Required
David Heinemeier Hansson
Jason Fried
In 'Remote: Office Not Required,' Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson present a compelling case for remote work, drawing from their extensive experience at Basecamp. The book outlines the advantages of remote work, such as access to top talent, reduced commuting, and improved productivity. It also addresses common obstacles and provides tools and methods for successful remote work implementation, including video conferencing, chat software, and project management. The authors emphasize the importance of managing for performance over presence and encourage leaders to adopt a flexible work environment that prioritizes work over traditional office hours[1][4][5].
Today, we're joined by Jason Fried, the co-founder of 37signals, the company behind groundbreaking tools like Basecamp and HEY, and the co-author of influential books like Rework.
Jason is the quintessential authentic builder, someone who has spent over 25 years forging his own path, guided by a philosophy that often runs counter to the hustle culture of the tech world. In this episode, we explore the principles that have not only endured but have become the bedrock of his success. We delve into a unique form of minimalism—the idea that working less, constraining your ambitions, and focusing on what truly matters is not a limitation but a superpower. As Jason puts it, "small is not just a stepping stone, small is a great destination itself."
But this conversation goes beyond business. We journey into the realm of meditative depth, discussing the profound lessons learned from a silent retreat and the surprising power of simply letting things happen rather than forcing them. We touch on the essence of human connection—how trust, respect, and genuine appreciation are the invisible forces that build not just great products, but a sustainable and joyful life. This is a story about building with intention, leading with humanity, and finding clarity in the quiet spaces between the work.
[00:00] Alan Watts on the Division of Work and Play [01:14] Introduction: The Authentic Builder, Jason Fried [04:22] An Unlikely Inspiration: The Design of Annual Reports [07:13] Learning Minimalism from Early BBS and ASCII Art [12:45] The Making of a Mindset: Lessons from a Shoe Store [18:34] The "Keepy Uppy" Philosophy of Business [23:42] The First $20 from Germany: A Lesson in Appreciation [27:37] The Selfishness of Creation: Building What You Love [31:42] Reacting to Alan Watts: Business as a Way to Keep Playing [36:01] Why Small is a Great Destination [39:17] The Power of a 40-Hour Week and Letting Your Mind Wander [43:30] Managing with a "Trust Battery" [48:33] The Gentle Art of Saying No [51:38] Reflections from a Silent Meditation Retreat [58:17] Making It Happen vs. Letting It Happen [59:22] Enduring Principles After 26 Years in Business
less than one | with Kevin Rose 
