Robert Greene: How To Make Powerful People Want To Mentor You
Ryan Holiday talks with Robert Greene, who hired him as a research assistant 20 years ago, about why he got that chance and how to succeed in an apprenticeship as AI removes entry-level jobs.
The gist
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Greene says he gave Holiday a shot because he seemed serious rather than chasing fame, but kept him on a short leash like other hires.
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Holiday argues AI is wiping out entry-level work like transcribing interviews, so anyone who lands an internship or assistant job can't afford to blow it.
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Greene says a good apprentice saves the boss time, drops their ego, and supplies skills the boss lacks, as Holiday did with internet work.
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Greene urges young people to learn to write well, plus grammar and spelling, because he says AI writing has no soul. Holiday adds that good writers are good thinkers.
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Both say to appeal to self-interest rather than sob stories, and to see yourself through others' eyes. Greene adds you can be mentored by books.
Ryan, Robert, Andrew and Tom agree on 7 things
R
See what they all use, in their own words. Paid ads are left out.
See what they all swear by Or pick your own peopleAlso mentioned
0:52
The Law of the Sublime
· "Robert was here at the bookstore because he has a new book coming out, The Law of the Sublime. It's an..."
1:35
The 50th Law
· "So, you were on a short leash. And I needed somebody, I guess, for the 50th Law."
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