Episode Summary

Podcast: Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast
Host: Scott Becker
Episode Title: The Accessibility of Very Successful People
Date: November 24, 2025

Main Theme

In this episode, Scott Becker explores the paradox of accessibility among individuals at varying levels of professional success. Drawing on his extensive interactions with top-tier leaders, athletes, and former presidents, Becker reflects on how the most accomplished people tend to be far more accessible and generous with their time than those who are moderately successful.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Experiences with Highly Successful Individuals

• Becker's Unique Perspective:
  Scott shares that his work has enabled him to meet and interview some of the "brightest, most successful people in the world," including presidents, top athletes, and eseteemed business leaders.
  • Quote:
    “I've had a chance… to interview presidents, some of the best athletes in the world, the best business leaders in the world. And what I find about so many of them is so many of them are pretty accessible and a very little attitude. And I find that to be fantastic and I love it.” [00:23]

2. The Contradiction Among Moderately Successful Individuals

• Attitude and Accessibility:
  Becker notes a striking contrast in how those who are "moderately successful" (the "B league successful") often have guarded attitudes and are much less accessible than their elite counterparts.
  • He observes that these individuals often react to online advice (e.g., from Twitter and X) about fiercely protecting one's time by becoming "non-accessible."
  • Quote:
    “Some of the non accessible people are not nearly as successful as the hyper successful people that are fairly accessible.” [00:45]

3. The Importance of Protecting Time—With Balance

• Necessity for Focus:
  Scott acknowledges that everyone, regardless of status, needs to set boundaries to preserve concentration and produce quality work.
  • Quote:
    “Now everybody, at whatever level of success you're at… needs to protect some of their time, some of their concentration. Absolutely. You can't do good work unless you protect some of your concentration, some of your time.” [01:00]

4. A Caution Against Elitist Attitudes

• Critique of "B League" Behavior:
  Becker finds it “magnificently fun” and fascinating when moderately successful people become rude or standoffish, in stark contrast to the generosity of “hyper successful” figures.
  • Quote:
    “The attitude of some of the people that are sort of, you know, B league successful and how rude they are to people… I find magnificently fun. Fascinating compared to the accessibility of hyper successful people that are much more generous with their time and energy and efforts.” [01:18]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hyper Successful Individuals:
  “So many of them are pretty accessible and have very little attitude. And I find that to be fantastic and I love it.” [00:28]

• On Moderately Successful People's Attitude:
  “What I find is fascinating is some of the non accessible people are not nearly as successful as the hyper successful people that are fairly accessible.” [00:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 00:28: Introduction and Scott’s experience with top achievers
• 00:29 – 01:00: Contrasts between hyper-successful and moderately-successful individuals
• 01:01 – 01:18: Need for focus vs. pitfalls of excessive guardedness
• 01:19 – end: Reflection on attitudes and summary

Summary Flow and Tone

Scott Becker delivers a thoughtful and candid reflection, drawing distinct yet nuanced lines between accessibility, success, and attitude. His tone is observational, slightly amused, and appreciative of those at the top who are generous with their time. The episode ends with a call to recognize and perhaps emulate the open, generous spirit of the truly accomplished.