Episode Summary: The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

Episode: 609
Guest: Eric Jorgensen, CEO of Scribe Media
Release Date: November 18, 2024

1. Introduction to Eric Jorgensen and Scribe Media

Ryan Hawk welcomes Eric Jorgensen, the CEO of Scribe Media, a leading professional publishing company. Scribe Media assists entrepreneurs, executives, and experts in writing, publishing, and marketing high-quality books. Eric is also the author of The Almanac of Naval Ravikant, a bestselling book that has sold over one million copies and been translated into 40 languages.

2. Eric's Unplanned Path to CEO and Scribe's Bankruptcy Story

Eric shares his unexpected journey to becoming the CEO of Scribe Media. Initially, Scribe thrived under the leadership of founders Tucker Max and Zach Obrant. However, after the founders stepped back, the company faltered and declared bankruptcy.
Notable Quote:

Eric Jorgensen [03:43]: "I became CEO of a company through a very surprising path that I had not anticipated or planned for whatsoever."

3. Rebuilding Trust Within the Company and with Stakeholders

Upon taking the helm, Eric focused on rebuilding trust both internally with the team and externally with customers. This involved transparent communication, consistent follow-through on commitments, and understanding the emotional journey authors experience while publishing.
Notable Quote:

Eric Jorgensen [07:53]: "I have to earn your trust. You don't have to earn mine. You already have it."

4. Principles of Effective Leadership: Trust-Willingness and Trustworthiness

Ryan references Jim Collins' philosophy of being both trust-willing and trustworthy. Eric exemplifies this by assuring his team that they already have his trust, fostering an environment of mutual respect and reliability.
Notable Quote:

Ryan Hawk [10:02]: "Being both a trust willing and a trustworthy person."

5. Hiring and Investing in Obsessive Geniuses

Eric discusses his preference for investing in "obsessive geniuses" — individuals who have dedicated years to solving specific problems with unwavering focus and expertise. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing such talent.
Notable Quote:

Eric Jorgensen [17:01]: "If you find yourself having like epiphany after epiphany... Beautiful. You're obsessive and demonstrably brilliant. Let's go."

6. The Significance of Content Diet and Information Filtering

A pivotal part of the conversation centers on the importance of a high-quality content diet. Eric argues that in today's information-saturated environment, the ability to filter valuable ideas from noise is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Notable Quote:

Eric Jorgensen [23:51]: "Information signal selection is a meta-skill... It is more important than health, fitness, nutrition."

7. The Role of Writing in Leadership and Scribe's Business Model

Ryan and Eric delve into how writing serves as a tool for clarity of thought and effective leadership. Scribe Media's model focuses on providing authors with complete creative control, ownership of rights, and maximizing royalties, contrasting sharply with traditional publishing.
Notable Quote:

Ryan Hawk [51:34]: "Writing is the ultimate tool for clarity of thought."

8. Eric's Book on Naval Ravikant and Its Impact

Eric authored The Almanac of Naval Ravikant, a book that synthesizes Naval's philosophies on wealth, happiness, and personal growth. The process of writing the book deeply influenced Eric, instilling enduring mental models and enhancing his leadership abilities.
Notable Quote:

Eric Jorgensen [33:28]: "In two years, I feel like I can converse with Naval... helping me manage my inner voices."

9. Traditional Publishing vs. Scribe’s Publishing Services

The discussion contrasts traditional publishing with Scribe’s model. While traditional publishers often require significant advances and take a substantial share of royalties, Scribe offers flat fees for services, ensuring authors retain full rights and royalties. Eric criticizes traditional publishing for encouraging authors to over-promise and under-deliver.
Notable Quote:

Eric Jorgensen [44:37]: "If you're planning on over promising and under delivering, by all means go with traditional publishing."

10. Encouraging Leaders to Develop a Writing Practice

Ryan emphasizes the importance of leaders cultivating a writing practice as a means to organize and articulate their thoughts. Eric explains how Scribe Media facilitates this process by pairing authors with skilled interviewers and writers, enabling them to effectively communicate their expertise without the need to commit extensive time to writing.
Notable Quote:

Eric Jorgensen [54:37]: "We pair you with someone who can help you structure your thoughts... and publish that book at a really high level."

Key Takeaways:

• Eric’s First 90 Days as CEO: Focused on learning from the team, building trust, and reinforcing flawless fundamentals.
• Obsession and Genius: Investing in individuals who are deeply passionate and knowledgeable about their field leads to exceptional outcomes.
• Content Diet: Curating high-quality information intake is crucial for effective leadership and personal growth.
• Publishing Model: Scribe Media offers an author-centric approach, granting full creative control and maximizing royalties, unlike traditional publishing.
• Writing as Leadership: Developing a writing practice helps leaders clarify their thoughts and establish authority in their field.

Notable Quotes from Naval Ravikant’s "How to Get Rich Without Getting Lucky" (Referenced in the Episode):

• "Seek wealth, not money or status."
• "Wealth is having assets that earn while you sleep."
• "Pick an industry where you can play long term games with long term people, not short term transactional people."
• "Specific knowledge is found by pursuing your genuine curiosity and passion rather than whatever is hot right now."

Conclusion

This episode offers deep insights into effective leadership, the importance of trust, and the strategic approach to publishing and investing in talent. Eric Jorgensen’s journey with Scribe Media exemplifies resilience and visionary leadership, while his principles on content consumption and recognizing genius provide valuable lessons for leaders aiming to drive excellence within their organizations.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to gain a comprehensive understanding of these leadership strategies and Eric Jorgensen's transformative approach to publishing and leadership.