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Notes:
Brad Thor best selling author of 22 thrillers...
- Excellence as a leader… What has Brad seen from the military leaders he’s studied: Empathy - Understand what it’s like from their perspective. LISTEN - Care for your people. Actually LISTEN to them and be there. Creativity. Innovate, and think of new creative ways to solve problems.
- Effective storytelling - Don’t start with the weather. Leave out the parts people skip. Don’t be boring. This same advice is useful for leaders when communicating with your team. Put yourself in their shoes. How can you most effectively share your message without being boring. The more entertaining it is, the more likely they’ll remember it.
- Effective storytellers - Plotters (outlines, Dan Brown), Pantsers (write by the seat of your pants). Brad is a pantser.
- Take the first 4 ideas and throw them out. You need the element of surprise. Create surprise.
- Be comfortable breaking the rules.
- Loves Ray Donavon and Billions for the element of surprise
- "No joy in the writer, no joy in the reader."
- "No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader."
- Brad has served as a member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Analytic Red Cell Unit.
- Excellence as a leader (McChrystal) - Empathy, Listen, Creativity.
- PBL - Problem-Based Learning. John Bettis (country singer). How do you recharge your battery? International travel. Immerse yourself in another culture.
- Loves politics. Ran for President.
- Advice for writers – “Gotta Keep Writing” Mary Higgins Clark did it for 2 hours each morning before her family woke up. Whatever it is we want to be great at, we have to get the reps. Consistency beats intensity.
00:53 The Art of Storytelling
04:13 Elements of Effective Storytelling
08:26 The Importance of Surprise in Storytelling
11:33 Writing Process and Challenges
20:43 Research and Realism in Writing
27:04 Leadership Lessons from Writing
30:59 The Importance of Open-Mindedness
32:01 Pre-Publishing Feedback Process
35:09 Homeland Security and the Red Cell Unit
39:05 Maintaining Creative Energy
42:38 Political Ambitions and Leadership
50:57 Advice for Aspiring Writers
54:36 The Benefits of Reading Fiction for Leaders
56:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts