Ultimate Guide to Virtual Assistants, 10x Delegation, and More | Sam Corcos | The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss
180 min, 20 sec
A detailed conversation with Sam Corcos covering his approach to delegation, minimalism, and continuous learning, including theology and network theory.
Summary
- Sam shares how systematic delegation and careful selection of tasks have allowed him to maximize productivity and maintain a high stamina for work.
- Discusses his year off after his last company, during which he studied theology and network theory to understand the strength of weak ties and the importance of diverse networks.
- Sam lives a minimalist lifestyle, fitting all his belongings into a backpack, to maintain flexibility and reduce the complexity of possessions.
- Explains the significance of memos in his company, Levels, and their role in documenting thought processes and strategic decisions.
Chapter 1
Tim Ferriss anticipates an organized and systematic conversation with Sam Corcos, aiming to create a comprehensive guide to delegation.
- Tim expresses his excitement about the interview due to Sam's organized nature.
- Sam anticipates discussing delegation in depth, based on a goal set for the interview.
Chapter 2
Sam Corcos discusses his early adoption of delegation skills, influenced by Tim Ferriss's book.
- Sam credits Tim's book for inspiring him to hire an executive assistant (EA) 10 years ago.
- Sam explains how he learned to delegate tasks effectively through his experience with his EA, Lori.
Chapter 3
Sam Corcos identifies common mistakes in delegation and the importance of fit between EAs and their employers.
- Sam observes that bad delegation experiences often stem from a lack of experience or a mismatch between EA and employer.
- He emphasizes the significance of finding the right fit for EAs, using examples from his company, Levels.
Chapter 4
Sam Corcos explores imposter syndrome and other common reasons people hesitate to delegate.
- Sam discusses how imposter syndrome affects delegation and suggests reframing tasks as opportunities for others' career growth.
- He also addresses concerns such as not having enough work for a full-time EA and the fear of creating busy work.
Chapter 5
Sam Corcos discusses the significance of reading and shares his recommended books for company culture and personal growth.
- Sam highlights books like 'No Rules Rules' and 'Nonviolent Communication' as influential reads.
- He shares his company's practice of hosting a team book club to discuss impactful books.
Chapter 6
Sam Corcos delves into Levels' company culture, focusing on transparency and the unconventional practice of recording meetings.
- Sam explains Levels' radical experiments in organizational design, such as public investor updates and team all-hands.
- He discusses the company's culture of treating people like adults and the practice of recording meetings to prevent gossip.
Chapter 7
Sam Corcos elaborates on how Levels utilizes EAs, from general tasks to specific functions like product support.
- Sam shares the process of integrating EAs into the team, including the concept of an EA pool and transitioning to dedicated roles.
- He explains the importance of EAs in managing time and tasks, such as scheduling and processing information.
Chapter 8
Sam Corcos discusses the use of tools like Loom and Notion for asynchronous work and task delegation.
- Sam considers Loom an essential tool for recording work processes and enabling async communication.
- He describes using Notion databases to manage tasks and delegate work to EAs effectively.
Chapter 9
Sam Corcos outlines Levels' mission to address metabolic health using continuous glucose monitors and the surprising findings users discover.
- Sam explains how Levels helps users understand the impact of diet on their health in real-time.
- He shares his personal realization about the influence of food on his energy levels through using a glucose monitor.
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