Brad Thor is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-four thrillers, including SHADOW OF DOUBT, NEAR DARK, BACKLASH, SPYMASTER, THE LAST PATRIOT, and BLOWBACK. Brad has served as a member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Analytic Red Cell Unit. In 2008, Brad shadowed a Black Ops team in Afghanistan to research his thriller, The Apostle.

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The Learning Leader Show

  • Excellence as a leader… What has Brad seen from the military leaders he’s studied: Empathy – Understand what it’s like from their perspective. LISTEN – Care for your people. Actually LISTEN to them and be there. Creativity. Innovate, and think of new creative ways to solve problems.
  • Effective storytelling – Don’t start with the weather. Leave out the parts people skip. Don’t be boring. This same advice is useful for leaders when communicating with your team. Put yourself in their shoes. How can you most effectively share your message without being boring. The more entertaining it is, the more likely they’ll remember it.
    • Effective storytellers – Plotters (outlines, Dan Brown), Pantsers (write by the seat of your pants). Brad is a pantser.
    • Take the first 4 ideas and throw them out. You need the element of surprise. Create surprise.
    • Be comfortable breaking the rules.
    • Loves Ray Donavon and Billions for the element of surprise
    • “No joy in the writer, no joy in the reader.”
    • “No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.”
  • Brad has served as a member of the Department of Homeland Security’s Analytic Red Cell Unit.
  • Excellence as a leader (McChrystal) – Empathy, Listen, Creativity.
  • PBL – Problem-Based Learning. John Bettis (country singer). How do you recharge your battery? International travel. Immerse yourself in another culture.
  • Loves politics. Ran for President.
  • Advice for writers – “Gotta Keep Writing” Mary Higgins Clark did it for 2 hours each morning before her family woke up. Whatever it is we want to be great at, we have to get the reps. Consistency beats intensity.
  • Apply to be part of my Learning Leader Circle
  • “Empathy is critical for good leadership.” – Brad Thor
  • We’ve been given two ears and one mouth. You’re supposed to listen more than you speak.”
  • “I don’t think you can get into a position of leadership without being a good listener, because if you’re not a good listener, you’re not going to be able to detect when there are problems.”
  • “I’m a big believer in being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s a member of your team or your customer, and then being a good listener.”
Resources:

More Learning:

Episode 078: Kat Cole – From Hooters Waitress To President of Cinnabon

Episode 216: Jim Collins — How To Go From Good To Great

Episode #300: AJ & Keith Hawk – How To Instill Work Ethic & Curiosity In Your Children

Episode #303:  General Stanley McChrystal – The New Definition Of Leadership

Time Stamps

00:53 The Art of Storytelling

04:13 Elements of Effective Storytelling

08:26 The Importance of Surprise in Storytelling

11:33 Writing Process and Challenges

20:43 Research and Realism in Writing

27:04 Leadership Lessons from Writing

30:59 The Importance of Open-Mindedness

32:01 Pre-Publishing Feedback Process

35:09 Homeland Security and the Red Cell Unit

39:05 Maintaining Creative Energy

42:38 Political Ambitions and Leadership

50:57 Advice for Aspiring Writers

54:36 The Benefits of Reading Fiction for Leaders

56:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts