August 1, 2024 • 26min
Brian Grazer: Scale your curiosity (Encore)
Masters of Scale
Key Takeaways
- Build your network based on curiosity, not contacts - This gives you a head start in generating surprising ideas, opportunities and discoveries
- Cultivate genuine interest in others - Show deep interest in the person you're talking to by asking questions and showing enthusiasm
- Do your research before networking conversations - Put time and effort into knowing who you're talking to and come prepared
- Push yourself out of your comfort zone - Be open to new cultures, art forms, and perspectives you don't yet understand
- Focus on the human side of networking - Active listening, perceptiveness and emotional intelligence are irreplaceable skills
- Let your network grow beyond you - Your curiosity will encourage others to form their own connections, expanding your access to ideas
- Follow the unknown - Curiosity about the unknown can lead to extraordinary discoveries and opportunities
Introduction
In this episode, Reid Hoffman interviews Brian Grazer, acclaimed film and television producer and co-founder of Imagine Entertainment. Grazer shares his unique approach to networking and building connections through what he calls "curiosity conversations." These weekly one-hour meetings with new contacts from all walks of life have fueled Grazer's creativity and success over decades in Hollywood.
The episode explores how Grazer developed this practice, how it has benefited his career, and how others can apply similar principles to build more meaningful professional networks driven by genuine curiosity rather than transactional relationships.
Topics Discussed
Origins of Grazer's Curiosity Conversations (3:09)
Grazer traces the roots of his curiosity-driven approach back to his childhood, when his grandmother would take him on weekly outings to experience new places and meet new people in Los Angeles. This instilled in him a habit of engaging with diverse people and ideas from a young age.
After college, Grazer had an enlightening conversation with a former professor that made him realize how much he could learn through one-on-one discussions. He decided to institute a practice of having a curiosity conversation every week with someone new.
- Grazer's grandmother encouraged him to be curious and interact with new people, from chefs to racetrack workers
- A post-college meeting with a professor showed Grazer how much he could learn through one-on-one conversations
- This inspired Grazer to commit to weekly "curiosity conversations" with new people
Leveraging Curiosity at Warner Bros. (7:32)
Early in his career, Grazer got an entry-level job at Warner Bros. delivering papers. He used this position to engineer meetings with Hollywood power players by insisting he had to hand-deliver documents personally. This allowed him to spark conversations and build relationships.
One notable example was Grazer's encounter with Warren Beatty. By claiming he needed to deliver papers directly to Beatty, Grazer managed to turn a brief interaction into an hour-long conversation. This showed him the potential of using curiosity to make meaningful connections, even with high-profile figures.
- Grazer used his job delivering papers as a way to meet Hollywood executives by insisting on personal hand-offs
- He turned a brief encounter with Warren Beatty into an hour-long conversation by showing genuine interest
- This demonstrated to Grazer how curiosity could open doors to meaningful connections
Partnership with Ron Howard (10:30)
Grazer's curiosity-driven approach led to his pivotal partnership with director Ron Howard. After spotting Howard on the Paramount lot, Grazer persistently tried to set up a meeting. When they finally connected, they discovered a shared vision and complementary skills that led to founding Imagine Entertainment together.
- Grazer pursued a meeting with Ron Howard out of genuine interest in his work
- Their conversation revealed shared dreams and complementary talents
- This led to forming Imagine Entertainment as partners, demonstrating how curiosity can uncover great collaborations
Overcoming Rejection with Splash (12:34)
One of Grazer and Howard's early ideas at Imagine was Splash, a romantic comedy about a man falling in love with a mermaid. The concept was widely ridiculed in Hollywood, but Grazer's persistence in pitching it eventually led to it being greenlit by Disney. The film's success showed Grazer that unconventional ideas often have potential if you believe in them.
- Splash was initially dismissed as "the dumbest idea in Hollywood"
- Grazer's persistence in pitching led to eventual approval from Disney
- The film's success taught Grazer that seemingly crazy ideas can become hits if given a chance
Preparing for Curiosity Conversations (17:38)
Grazer emphasizes the importance of preparation before his curiosity conversations. He researches the person he'll be meeting, learns about their interests, and tries to bring something of value to the conversation. This shows genuine interest and increases the likelihood of a meaningful exchange.
- Research the person you'll be meeting beforehand
- Learn about their personal interests and what matters to them
- Bring something of value to the conversation, like relevant music or information
- Approach networking conversations with the same care as you would a date
Expanding Horizons Through Curiosity (19:31)
Grazer's curiosity conversations often push him out of his comfort zone and expose him to new cultures and art forms. He cites his meeting with rapper Ol' Dirty B*****d as an example that opened his eyes to hip-hop culture. This eventually led to Grazer producing "8 Mile" with Eminem and a documentary with Jay-Z.
- Curiosity conversations push Grazer to explore unfamiliar cultures and art forms
- Meeting Ol' Dirty B*****d sparked Grazer's interest in hip-hop culture
- This led to producing "8 Mile" and other hip-hop related projects
- Each conversation can become the foundation for new branches of creativity and opportunity
The Human Element in Networking (21:17)
Grazer believes that the nuances of human interaction - body language, micro-expressions, energy - are crucial in networking and cannot be replicated by AI. He gives the example of noticing Tom Hanks' nervous pencil-tapping during his Splash audition, which added depth to his understanding of Hanks as an actor.
- Grazer emphasizes the importance of human nuance in networking
- Body language, micro-expressions, and energy provide valuable insights
- Noticing Tom Hanks' nervous habits during his audition added depth to Grazer's perception
- These human elements are difficult for AI to replicate in networking contexts
Imagine Impact: Scaling Curiosity (24:17)
In 2018, Grazer and Howard launched Imagine Impact, a program to discover and nurture new writing talent. Inspired by tech incubators like Y Combinator, Impact provides a bootcamp for writers to develop their scripts and gain access to industry mentorship. The program has since expanded into a marketplace connecting writers with buyers from major studios.
- Imagine Impact was created to discover and nurture new writing talent
- The program was inspired by tech incubators like Y Combinator
- It provides a bootcamp for writers to develop scripts and access mentorship
- Impact has expanded into a marketplace connecting writers with studio buyers
- The program has had a 60% success rate in selling scripts
Conclusion
Brian Grazer's approach to networking through curiosity conversations has been a cornerstone of his success in Hollywood. By consistently engaging with diverse individuals, preparing thoroughly for each interaction, and remaining open to new ideas and perspectives, Grazer has built a powerful network that fuels his creativity and business ventures.
The key lessons from Grazer's experience are applicable across industries:
- Approach networking with genuine curiosity rather than a transactional mindset
- Prepare thoroughly for each interaction to show respect and increase the chances of meaningful exchange
- Push yourself out of your comfort zone to discover new ideas and opportunities
- Focus on the human elements of interaction that can't be replicated by technology
- Use your network to scale opportunities for others, which in turn expands your own access to ideas and talent
By following these principles, professionals in any field can build more meaningful and productive networks that drive innovation and success. Grazer's story demonstrates that curiosity-driven networking is not just a tool for personal growth, but a powerful engine for scaling businesses and creating lasting impact.
