Don’t let the hair fool you Brian Grazer has an eye for talent.
We take a break from the usual today to talk about a new book written by Hollywood producer Brian Grazer entitled “A Curious Mind.”
Grazer is the hip looking guy with the spiky hair who has teamed Ron Howard to make hit films ranging from “Splash” and “Apollo 13” to TV’s latest sensation “Empire.”
To call him successful is an understatement.
One of the keys to Grazer’s success is his quirky and charming habit of seeking people out for what he calls “Curiosity Conversations.”
Essentially, Grazer cold calls people he admires or is curious about and asks for a brief meeting; a meeting, no food. He feels that food intrudes on conversation and changes blood sugar and therefore thought patterns. He wants unfettered access to his subject’s mind for an hour or so and then he moves on.
Sometimes the “curiosity conversations” lead to friendships and business opportunities, but that’s not the objective. The goal is simply to learn from somebody who intrigues him.
Sometimes the conversations go well and sometimes they are disastrous, for example a conversation with author Kurt Vonnegut was cut short when the writer felt that Grazer didn’t know enough about his work to have a meaningful dialogue. Ouch!
Other times, serendipity strikes. For instance, Grazer’s relationship with Ron Howard blossomed after a particularly meaningful conversation.
Now you must be thinking that it’s easy for a high-powered producer like Grazer to meet with the likes of Oprah, Beyonce and Richard Branson and it is, but Grazer insists he began meeting intriguing people long before he became successful. He says most people like to talk, especially about their lives and work.
So who would you like to meet for a “curiosity conversation” in Boca Raton, Delray Beach or somewhere nearby?
Perhaps an FAU professor or a Scripps researcher? Maybe a retired entrepreneur or an active business leader? Remember, this isn’t about networking it’s about knowledge and connection and satisfying your curiosity.
Think about it and let us know who you’d like to meet. Leave a comment at the end of this blog, who knows maybe we can make it happen for you.
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