#331 Christian Dior

In the podcast, the host enthusiastically discusses his collaboration with Readwise on a product called Founders Notes, a searchable database of his 20,000+ book highlights and notes, essential for founders seeking wisdom from history's greatest entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the tool's value for existing successful company owners, allowing them to apply historical insights to current challenges. Additionally, the host reflects on Christian Dior's journey from a non-entrepreneurial background to founding a revolutionary fashion house, highlighting Dior's belief in fortune tellers, his struggle with impostor syndrome, and his commitment to craftsmanship. The episode also touches on hiring philosophies, with insights from Steve Jobs, Rockefeller, and other business luminaries on recruiting and cultivating top talent, and the importance of creating a work environment that inspires greatness.

• Speaker A introduces Readwise, an app critical to their podcast production.
• Founders Notes, a product built with Readwise, is highlighted.
• The website foundersnotes.com is mentioned as a resource for accessing Speaker A's highlights and notes.
• Tristan from Readwise is credited with introducing Speaker A to the app.

"Back in 2019, one of the co founders of my favorite app, the best app I pay for, I literally could not make the podcast without it is called Readwise."

The quote emphasizes the importance of Readwise to Speaker A's podcast production process.

• Speaker A has added over 20,000 highlights and notes from books read for the podcast to Readwise.
• The app allows for easy searching of past content, aiding in daily podcast operations.
• Founders Notes offers access to Speaker A's extensive collection of highlights and notes.

"Years, I've added over 20,000 highlights and notes for all the books that I read for the podcast to the Readwise app. And the reason I do that is because I'm able to search everything that I've ever done."

This quote explains how Speaker A uses Readwise to organize and search through a vast amount of information for podcast content.

• Founders Notes is designed for founders running successful companies.
• It serves as a reference for the thoughts and ideas of history's greatest founders.
• The product is currently priced at a discount with upcoming feature enhancements.
• Immediate access to Speaker A's highlights and notes is available on the website.

"It really is the world's most valuable notebook for founders."

Speaker A believes Founders Notes is a highly valuable resource for entrepreneurs seeking inspiration and guidance.

• Christian Dior's family wealth originated from a fertilizer business.
• Dior's early interest in fashion and design is noted.
• The adversity faced by Dior, including family tragedies and financial hardship, is highlighted.
• Dior's eventual success in the fashion industry is framed as a result of opportunity following loss.

"The foundation of the Dior Empire was shit in the literal sense."

This quote humorously references the origins of Christian Dior's family wealth, which laid the groundwork for the Dior fashion empire.

• Speaker A discusses the role of luck in the careers of successful individuals.
• Christian Dior's belief in fortune tellers and their predictions played a significant role in his decisions.
• The meeting with Marcel Busac, a textile magnate, is identified as a pivotal moment in Dior's career.
• Dior's initial hesitance and eventual acceptance of the opportunity to start his own fashion house is recounted.

"When you read biographies of people who've done great work, it is remarkable how much luck is involved."

The quote from Speaker B underscores the significant role that luck often plays in the achievements of successful individuals.

• Christian Dior's lack of initial entrepreneurial ambition is discussed.
• The influence of peers and the Paris fashion scene on Dior's career direction is explored.
• Dior's partnership with Marcel Busac and the creation of the Dior fashion house is detailed.
• The success and legacy of the Christian Dior brand are emphasized.

"Christian Dior is maybe one of the most unique people. He just stands out. Think about like, you and I study uncommon people. And even Christian Dior is uncommon amongst uncommon people."

Speaker A expresses admiration for Christian Dior's distinctive path to success, highlighting his uniqueness even among other notable figures.

• Dior's internal struggle with personal ambition and the desire for financial independence is addressed.
• The contrast between Dior's contentment with his role at Lucian Lelong and his eventual pursuit of his own brand is examined.
• Dior's self-doubt and reliance on fortune tellers for guidance are highlighted.

"For the first time, I wondered whether I was really devoid of any personal ambition."

This quote reflects Christian Dior's introspection on his own ambitions and the turning point that led him to consider establishing his own fashion house.

• Speaker A discusses the inspiration to revisit Christian Dior's autobiography.
• The uniqueness of Dior's personality and career trajectory is emphasized.
• Dior's autobiography is described as eclectic and atypical in structure.
• The impact of Dior's work and the ongoing influence of his brand are acknowledged.

"Christian Dior writes like Willy Wonka speaks. Even the structure of the book is bizarre."

Speaker A compares Dior's writing style to the whimsical character Willy Wonka, noting the unconventional nature of his autobiography.

• Christian Dior foresaw the consequences of his actions with a sense of horror.
• He came from a family with a significant fortune that originated from his great-great-grandfather importing bat guano in 1832.
• The family empire collapsed during the Great Depression, instilling a fear of entrepreneurship and risk-taking in Dior.
• Dior suffered from impostor syndrome and created an alter ego to cope with it.
• He distinguished between Christian Dior the person and Christian Dior the designer.
• Dior was afraid of betraying his ignorance in the fashion industry due to his lack of formal training.

"These harmless words were scarcely out of my mouth. When I was overcome with horror. I suddenly foresaw the dreadful consequences of my rashness."

This quote reflects Dior's realization of the potential negative outcomes of his decisions and his general fear of taking risks.

"This is not a self-confident man. This is not a risk taker. He is terrified of risk."

The speaker emphasizes Dior's aversion to risk, stemming from the historical collapse of his family's fortune.

"And so what Christian Dior has at his core is impostor syndrome."

This quote introduces the concept of impostor syndrome, which greatly affected Dior's self-perception and career approach.

"Having entered very late into this profession where others had spent a lifetime learning and having had no training to guide me except my own instincts, I had always been afraid of betraying my ignorance of it."

Dior's quote reveals his deep-seated fear of being exposed as an amateur in the fashion industry due to his unconventional path and lack of formal education in the field.

• Dior's initial reluctance to restore an old brand led to his realization of wanting to start his own fashion house.
• He envisioned a new fashion house from scratch, emphasizing craftsmanship over mass production.
• Dior expressed a desire to create something new rather than reviving something old.
• He faced internal struggles and panic, leading to breaking off negotiations with financier Marcel Busak.
• A conversation with a fortune teller played a pivotal role in convincing Dior to pursue his dream despite his fears.

"My heart sank at the thought of the hazards involved."

Dior's quote conveys his apprehension about the challenges he would face in reviving a decaying company.

"I decided that it was not meant by nature to raise corpses from the dead."

This quote illustrates Dior's realization that his true ambition was to create something entirely new rather than restoring an old brand.

"You must create the house of Christian Dior whatever the conditions."

The fortune teller's advice to Dior highlights the importance of seizing the opportunity presented to him, regardless of his self-doubt.

• Dior aimed to assemble a first-class staff for his fashion house, seeking individuals who were fanatical about their work.
• He hired people who complemented his skills and shared his passion for fashion and elegance.
• Dior studied the work of other fashion icons like Balenciaga and Coco Chanel, learning from their mastery and authority in the industry.
• He recognized the difference in perception between himself and Chanel, noting her early recognition of talent compared to his own later success.

"I knew that if I were to emerge victorious, I had to be equipped with a first-class staff."

Dior understood the necessity of having a talented and dedicated team to succeed in the competitive fashion industry.

"Her high standards are inflexible."

This quote about an early hire, Burcard, underscores the importance Dior placed on having staff with unwavering dedication to quality.

"Outstanding among them all was Coco Chanel, who dominated all the rest in her personality as well as in her taste."

Dior's reflection on Chanel's influence and style shows his respect for her as a leading figure in the fashion world and his awareness of the impact of a strong personality on success.

• Dior focused on a niche, affluent clientele and aimed to bring a sense of richness post-World War II.
• He highlighted the importance of craftsmanship over revolutionizing fashion.
• Dior's avoidance of publicity paradoxically generated a whispering campaign that served as free propaganda.
• An unplanned article in Life magazine became a significant publicity breakthrough, especially in America.
• Despite his success, Dior was plagued by self-doubt and reluctance, which he had to overcome.
• The launch of his fashion line was met with resounding success and personal triumph.

"The relative secrecy in which I chose to work aroused a positive whispering campaign, which was excellent. Free propaganda."

Dior's strategy of working in secrecy inadvertently created buzz and speculation, which proved to be an effective form of marketing.

"The goddess of publicity often seems to smile most favorably on those who court her the least."

This quote suggests that Dior's unintentional approach to publicity, by avoiding it, actually worked in his favor and attracted more attention.

• Dior's work was his life, and he was consumed by his designs.
• He believed in giving his designs care, trouble, and enthusiasm.
• Dior's approach was that of a craftsman, focusing on the quality and detail of his work.
• He drew inspiration from everything around him, much like Leonardo da Vinci did with his art.
• Dior's passion for his work was both a source of joy and torment due to his constant preoccupation with his designs.

"I must admit that clothes are my whole life."

This quote encapsulates Dior's dedication to his work and how it dominated every aspect of his existence.

"You should believe most of all in the power of enthusiasm."

The advice from James Dyson's mentor, Jeremy Fry, reflects a shared belief between Dyson and Dior in the transformative power of enthusiasm in one's work.

"They preoccupy me, they occupy me and they post occupy me."

Dior's quote vividly describes the all-consuming nature of his passion for fashion design, highlighting the relentless drive that fueled his creativity and success.

• Humility is crucial when encountering a good idea.
• Instinctive reactions should be given precedence over over-intellectualization.
• Albert Lasker, a highly successful advertising agency founder, advised David Olgavy on the importance of humility in the face of a good idea.
• Recognizing a good idea is challenging, and research is limited in predicting an idea's cumulative value.

When asked what the best asset a man could have, Lasker replied, humility in the presence of a good idea.

This quote emphasizes the value of humility when considering new ideas, suggesting that it is an asset more valuable than knowledge or skill alone.

• Christian Dior experienced a mixture of obsession and torment in his work.
• He monitored the progress of each dress with intense anxiety, similar to a father's concern for his child.
• Dior felt a sense of responsibility for his products and personally dealt with the stress of potential failure.
• His work ethic involved intense periods of work followed by extended vacations, adopting a sprint-rest cycle.
• Dior's meticulousness stemmed from a desire to complete work quickly due to his conscientious nature.

I will follow the progress of each dress like anxious father. They have absolute power over me, and I live in perpetual dread that they will fail me.

This quote illustrates Dior's deep emotional investment in his work and the pressure he felt to ensure the success of each of his designs.

• Christian Dior's autobiography reflects his profound care for his work.
• Dior and other passionate individuals, regardless of industry, show a deep commitment to their craft.
• The effort, time, and enthusiasm put into one's work are indicative of a genuine passion.
• Dior considered his work as ephemeral architecture dedicated to the female body's beauty.

I just love people that truly care about what they're doing.

This statement underscores the speaker's admiration for individuals like Christian Dior who demonstrate a sincere and intense dedication to their work.

• Enzo Ferrari expressed a deep, almost sensual connection with his cars.
• Ferrari's description of his cars suggests they were alive, with unique behaviors and personalities.
• He struggled with the idea of his creations racing and potentially 'dying', highlighting his emotional attachment to his work.
• Both Dior and Ferrari viewed their creations as living entities, showing a common thread of passion despite their different industries.

Cars possess unique behaviors. They breathed through their carburetors. They were skinned with metal.

This quote conveys Ferrari's personification of his cars, attributing them with life-like qualities and showcasing his intense emotional investment in his creations.

• Launching a new collection brought Dior both excitement and anxiety.
• He questioned the novelty and wearability of his models, indicating a deep concern for the market's reception.
• The preparation of a collection was central to Dior's life, filled with both torment and happiness.
• Dior experienced a sense of void after a collection's completion, reflecting his continuous engagement with his work.

I remain alone and ask myself over and over again, have I imported enough novelty?

This quote reveals Dior's introspective and critical approach to his work, constantly evaluating the innovation and impact of his designs.

• The speaker recommends reading Paul Johnson's book "Creators" and Christian Dior's autobiography for deeper insights.
• The speaker emphasizes the value of understanding the mindset and dedication of great creators like Dior.
• Supporting the podcast through book purchases using provided links is encouraged.

If you want to learn more about Christian Dior, I would actually buy Paul Johnson's book.

This quote serves as a recommendation for those interested in exploring the creative process and mindset of Christian Dior more comprehensively.

• The hiring process is critical to the success of a startup.
• Steve Jobs highlighted the importance of dedicating time to hiring, equating each new hire to a significant percentage of the company.
• Rockefeller prioritized social skills in hiring and recruited talented individuals as he found them, not as needed.
• Vannevar Bush used a unique interview process to gauge a candidate's problem-solving abilities.
• Nolan Bushnell assessed creativity through candidates' reading habits, valuing curiosity and passion over specific knowledge.

The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. And I pay more for that ability than any other under the sun.

This quote from Rockefeller stresses the high value he placed on interpersonal skills when hiring, considering it the most important trait for potential employees.

• The speaker clarifies that their memory is not exceptional; instead, they rely on meticulous note-taking and re-reading.
• Foundersnotes.com is mentioned as a resource for accessing a searchable database of ideas from history's greatest entrepreneurs.
• The speaker's process involves thinking about questions for days and searching notes and highlights for relevant insights.

People think I have a better memory than I actually do.

This quote reflects the speaker's admission that their knowledge comes from diligent study and organization rather than an innate ability to remember details.

• Steve Jobs emphasized the critical role of leadership in hiring and team building.
• Rockefeller, Bush, Nolan Bushnell, Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, and Peter Thiel all stress the importance of hiring individuals who are more talented than oneself.
• The idea is to raise the bar with each hire to improve the overall talent pool constantly.
• The reality of maintaining a team entirely composed of top performers becomes more challenging as a company grows.

"Steve Jobs saying, this is the most important thing that your role as the leader of the company and the founders, and it's so important to study." This quote highlights Steve Jobs' belief in the significance of the leader's role in hiring and building a strong team within a company.

"Warren Buffett would tell you to use David Ogilvy's hiring philosophy... If each of us hires people who are smaller than we are, we shall become a company of dwarfs. But if each of us hires people who are bigger than we are, we shall become a company of giants." Warren Buffett endorses David Ogilvy's philosophy that hiring superior talent is essential for building a strong and successful company.

"Jeff Bezos... every time we hire someone, he or she should raise the bar for the next hire, so that the overall talent pool is always improving." Jeff Bezos' approach at Amazon was to continuously elevate the standard of talent with each new hire to ensure the company's growth and success.

• PayPal prioritized speed in its operations but took a deliberate approach to hiring, maintaining high standards for talent.
• Max Levchin, a co-founder of PayPal, insisted on hiring only top performers, even if it slowed down the staffing process.
• The hiring policy at PayPal was based on the principle that 'A' players hire 'A' players, while 'B' players hire 'C' players.

"Max kept repeating, a's hire a's, b's hire c's." This quote explains the hiring strategy used by Max Levchin at PayPal, which focused on maintaining high-quality talent within the organization.

• Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, had a unique approach to hiring, focusing on the self-confidence of candidates.
• Ellison's philosophy was to hire the most confident and presumably the most competent individuals.
• The aggressive and confident culture at Oracle was a reflection of Ellison's personality and contributed to the company's success.

"Ellison insisted that his recruiters hire only the finest and cockiest new college graduates." This quote demonstrates Larry Ellison's bold approach to hiring, where he sought out the most self-assured and potentially capable candidates for Oracle.

• Izzy Sharp, founder of Four Seasons, used hiring as a strategic tool for distribution by bringing in top chefs to attract guests to his hotels.
• This approach was inspired by Cesar Ritz, who made his hotels famous by hiring renowned chefs.
• Hiring talented individuals can lead to increased brand recognition and business growth.

"Cesar Ritz made his hotels world famous by hiring some of the foremost chefs, we decided to do something similar." This quote highlights the strategy employed by Izzy Sharp, taking inspiration from Cesar Ritz to use hiring as a means of promoting and distributing his hotel's brand.

• Identifying and recruiting top talent is only part of the challenge; solving personal or logistical issues for potential hires is also crucial.
• Elon Musk at SpaceX exemplified this by solving a relocation problem for a valuable engineer by coordinating with Google to transfer the engineer's spouse to Los Angeles.
• The ability to problem-solve for recruits is a trait of successful founders.

"Musk, therefore, came into his job interview prepared... they're going to transfer your wife down to LA." This quote illustrates Elon Musk's proactive and problem-solving approach to overcoming obstacles in hiring a desired candidate for SpaceX.

• Les Schwab preferred to promote from within, avoiding hiring managers from outside to prevent bad habits from infiltrating his company.
• This approach ensured that all managers understood the company's culture and operations from the ground up.

"In our 34 years of business, we have never hired a manager from the outside." This quote reflects Les Schwab's philosophy of internal promotion, emphasizing the value of homegrown leadership for his company.

• High-performing individuals dislike being micromanaged, as noted by Larry Miller in his autobiography.
• Jerry Sloan, coach of the Utah Jazz, demanded the freedom to make his own decisions as a condition for his employment.
• Founders must recognize the importance of autonomy for top talent to thrive.

"If you hire me, let me run the team business." This quote from Jerry Sloan underscores the need for autonomy in roles filled by highly capable individuals, which is a key consideration in hiring and management decisions.

• Thomas Edison believed in developing skills that cannot be hired for, which is a valuable approach for founders.
• Founders should possess unique abilities that contribute to their company's success and cannot be easily replicated or replaced.

"I can hire mathematicians, but they can't hire me." This quote from Thomas Edison emphasizes the importance of cultivating unique and valuable skills that set a founder apart and cannot be easily sourced from the job market.

• Estée Lauder advised hiring people who share your thinking and values.
• The business should be a reflection of the founder's personality, and hiring decisions should align with non-economic values and the founder's vision.

"Hire people who think as you do and treat them well." This quote from Estée Lauder stresses the importance of aligning hiring practices with the founder's values and vision for the company.

• Peter Thiel criticizes generic recruitment pitches and emphasizes the need for a differentiated approach.
• Founders should offer a unique mission and vision to stand out to potential hires and attract the right talent.

"General and undifferentiated pitches to join your company... won't help you stand out." This quote from Peter Thiel highlights the necessity for companies to have a distinctive and compelling pitch to attract top talent.

• Nolan Bushnell valued passion and intensity in his hires, as exemplified by his hiring of Steve Jobs.
• Founders should seek out individuals who are deeply committed and enthusiastic about their work.

"Hire for passion and intensity... Steve had one speed, full blast." This quote from Nolan Bushnell reflects the importance of hiring individuals with a high level of passion and dedication to their work.

• Elon Musk personally interviewed the first 3000 employees at SpaceX, demonstrating the importance he placed on hiring.
• Founders should be deeply involved in the hiring process, especially when it concerns crucial roles within the company.

"Musk made hiring a priority. He personally met with every single person the company hired through the first 3000 employees." This quote shows Elon Musk's commitment to being intimately involved in the hiring process to ensure the right fit for SpaceX.

• After hiring, it's essential to create an environment where employees feel they are part of a talented team and a larger vision.
• Steve Jobs believed in fostering a workplace that inspires employees by making them feel their work has a significant impact.

"It's not just recruiting after recruiting, it's building an environment that makes people feel they are surrounded by equally talented people and their work is bigger than they are." This quote encapsulates Steve Jobs' philosophy on the importance of creating an inspiring and motivating work environment after the hiring process.