1. Sharing knowledge matters
Sharing is caring. When I was on a hike yesterday with Rachel, I saw a woman carrying a book “I’ve Decided to Live 120 Years”. I asked if she liked the book. She proceeded to tell me, “It’s fantastic.” After walking about ten more steps, she turned around and asked me if I’d like to have it. I told her I could buy it myself, but she insisted – she worked for the author, has more copies, and would like me to have her copy. When you share your thoughts, the world responds.
For years, I have read Fred Wilson’s AVC blog. Fred is a founder and partner at Union Square Ventures. Even though I am not in venture capital, I enjoy the inside look into his investments, perspective on how to run companies, and views on the world. He has written every day since September 2003. As I point out on the about section of the AoaM website: my goal [in writing] is to share ideas, art, and solutions that contribute to the music industry and our world.
With Art of a Manager, a two way street is created. I write, you read, and occasionally respond. Your responses provide more dialogue, perspective, and insight I learn from. Through the process, we create together, which is TH3RD BRAIN’s highest mission. There is no greater gift than knowledge. If the information provided through Art of a Manager doesn’t suit you, feel free to unsubscribe 🙂 I will not take offense.
2. Being the best takes commitment
I am a manager, not a journalist. Is there a greater strength a manager can have than his or her ability to communicate? Our business is communication!
Writing is a hobby. I am blessed for the combined effects of having a hobby which profoundly gives back to my profession. As a manager, I am privy to lots of confidential information about our artists’ businesses and the industry in general. This is a line I do not cross. Nonetheless, what I say is not always going to please everyone. I choose to write about topics I believe push our business, our artists, and our partners forward. If you’re looking for a gossip column, you won’t find it here.
Writing further reaffirms the disciplined qualities I have as a manager to stay organized and constantly create. Writing for me is commitment.
3. Writing is powerful
I don’t just write on Art of a Manager. My team and I write consistent detailed updates to our clients on a regular basis. We draft business plans, project roadmaps, and communicate avidly via email and slack. Writing is core to who we are. According to Jeff Bezos, writing “forces better thought and better understanding of what’s more important than what, and how things are related.”
Writing exercises our brain in deep thought – the ability to complete deep work is becoming one of the most sought after skills leaders need. In our notification-filled world, we need to take the time to organize our thoughts and develop ideas fully and completely. Writing every day is not easy, but committing to deep work is a skill I am proud to share publicly.
How do I write every day? I just do it – I spend less time writing than the average person spends watching TV. In the end, the time I spend writing is not borrowed from the time I devote to the artists I manage.
I am committed to the pursuit of creating together with my artists and our industry. I am dedicated to writing everyday because I believe in the power of giving back via knowledge sharing and know that love is the killer app. I will always pay it forward.
“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying.”
-Steven Pressfield, The War of Art
One Comment
Hey Jake, just wanted to say thanks for the blog! As a young person who is just starting his career in the music industry I find your insight really valuable!