This Investor Raised Billions by Making Complicated Ideas Simple | Howard Marks

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Want to build influence with great ideas and simple writing? Look no further than Howard Marks.
Most smart people use big words and plastic jargon to reinforce the barrier between themselves and “the common folk.” Howard, on the other hand, breaks down this barrier, and that’s why his ideas are so influential (and why he’s Warren Buffett’s favorite author).
Ironically enough, simple writing is the hardest to master. Einstein once said that there are four types of intelligence: “bright, brilliant, genius, and simple.” In this episode, you’ll hear how Howard turns decades of investment expertise into clear, simple language.
You’ll learn:
*Why high-quality work is more important than ever
*How discovering your unique point of view is crucial if you want your ideas to make an impact
*Howard’s four tenets for high-quality writing: clarity, humor, interesting topics, and challenging your reader.
Ultimately, you’ll learn how this billionaire investor shares his ideas in a way that engages and delights his audience, and how you can, too.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:00 Simplicity
00:03:15 Output
00:05:00 Getting Lucky memo
00:06:45 Giving away investing secrets
00:08:30 Howard's process for writing
00:11:45 Distillation of ideas
00:13:50 Industry jargon
00:15:00 Early years
00:17:15 Wharton School
00:22:45 What makes a good annual letter
00:25:55 Life philosophies
00:28:40 Thinking visually
00:31:48 Warren Buffett
00:33:45 Jeff Bezos
00:38:30 Favorite writers
00:41:00 Risk
00:46:08 Reconciliation
00:51:55 What is the most important thing?
SPEAKER LINKS:
Website: www.oaktreecapital.com/about/...
Twitter: / howardmarksbook
Books: www.amazon.com/Howard-Marks/e...
WRITE OF PASSAGE:
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take.writeofpassage.school/wr...
PODCAST LINKS:
Website: writeofpassage.school/how-i-w...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSbo...
ABOUT THE HOST:
I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible.

Пікірлер: 123

  • @DavidPerellChannel
    @DavidPerellChannel3 ай бұрын

    Howard Marks manages ~$190 billion and has penned some of the world's best investment writing. Warren Buffett loves his writing too: "When I see memos from Howard in my mail, they're the first thing I open." Here are 13 key insights from our conversation: 1) For Howard Marks, heaven is seven little words: “I never thought of it that way.” Get the reader to say them and you win. 2) Einstein supposedly said there are four levels of intelligence: bright, brilliant, genius, and simple. Insecure writers try to flaunt their expertise with jargon; secure writers share what they know in surprising yet simple ways. 3) Something about putting words to paper freezes people up. Hence, Howard Marks tries to write as he speaks. Lesson: Take your written voice closer to your conversational voice. You’ll discover a new freshness and speed in your work. 4) Most writing rings hollow. No stories or thought-out principles inside. Howard Marks’ challenge to writers: Have experiences, cultivate convictions, and then your writing will come alive like never before. Thoreau said it best: “How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live.” 5) Find your creed. What do you believe in? What do you think will work? What will not work? What are the rules that govern your decisions? People listen intently when you speak from a "principled voice." 6) Be eclectic in your subject matter and sources. Tackle the same point from different angles to create a richer reading experience. For example, in his memos, Howard Marks has explained investing via the prism of gambling, poker, sports, and more. 7) Howard Marks’ knack for analogies has made him one of Warren Buffett’s favorite writers. Takeaway: Come up with more surprising comparisons. Make cross-disciplinary connections. 8) What Howard admires in Buffett’s writing: its accessibility, folksy simplicity, and humor. A great example is Buffett’s description of the 2008 financial crash: “It's only when the tide goes out that we find out who's been swimming naked.” 9) Writing is anti-BS because the reader can keep re-reading until the hole in your logic becomes clear. You will get away with some BS in conversation, but if you want to discover and fix the holes in your ideas, write them down. 10) The old sayings don't get to be old sayings for nothing. A heuristic, story or book that has been around for long probably has something valuable to teach you. 11) The more complex the idea, the simpler your explanation must be. Nietzsche agrees with Howard Marks: “The more abstract the truth you wish to teach, the more you need to seduce the senses to it.” 12) The world is governed by cyclical forces. Even if history doesn't always repeat, it rhymes. This is why old books will teach you as much about the future as the past. 13) Writing prompt: Reconcile two things that seem to be at odds or show the hidden fault lines between two things that seem to be compatible. The reader will feel rewarded. She might even say the seven magical words: “I never thought of it that way.”

  • @DanBelsky_Health_Money_Love

    @DanBelsky_Health_Money_Love

    3 ай бұрын

    Love ❤ your video energy and story/entrepreneurial insights, would like to contact you in the near future to see if we could do a collab to profit from this YT entrepreneurship. Thank you. 🙏 Dan Belsky

  • @pauljones7798

    @pauljones7798

    3 ай бұрын

    Thank you for this video of how Howard Marks manages $190 billion.

  • @calvinwinston4281

    @calvinwinston4281

    2 ай бұрын

    😂.m

  • @jaanifilmwala
    @jaanifilmwala3 ай бұрын

    00:05 The key to success is simplifying complex ideas. 03:14 Simplicity in writing through sporadic idea collection and meaningful connections 09:40 Continuous improvement is essential for perfecting ideas. 13:06 Simplicity in writing and communication is key for successful engagement. 19:15 E. Dale Saunders turned an indifferent student into a serious student and helped raise writing skills 22:42 Quality writing requires wisdom and experience. 29:12 Using visual and graphic representations to simplify complex ideas 32:23 Adversity tests true skill, not luck 38:00 Simplicity on the far side of complexity is valuable for understanding complex ideas. 41:23 Howard Marks emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing risk 47:12 Education and exposure to different schools of thought helped in reconciling conflicting investment theories 50:21 Writing should be interesting and challenging, not easily reconciled and dull.

  • @leadgenjay
    @leadgenjay3 ай бұрын

    Howard's approach to writing is spot-on; simplicity really is key. For entrepreneurs looking to emulate this, remember that clear writing reflects clear thinking, which is essential in business communication. A good practice is to explain your complex business concepts as if you're talking to a friend who has no background in your industry.

  • @FragranceCraft

    @FragranceCraft

    2 ай бұрын

    The elevator pitch ...

  • @filmawayvlad

    @filmawayvlad

    29 күн бұрын

    Love it!

  • @Achievius
    @Achievius3 ай бұрын

    SO excited for this one. Huge fan of Howard Marks and How I Write. To see the two together is a dream come true

  • 2 ай бұрын

    "You can stay young and alive, if you're still growing." great line Howard.

  • @LeonGenesis
    @LeonGenesis3 ай бұрын

    I’ve watch many an interviews by Marks and read both of his books. This is perhaps one of my favorite sit downs.

  • @henryjiang9990
    @henryjiang99903 ай бұрын

    He just basically said, I'll tell you how to do it and you still can't do it.

  • @luisvilla799

    @luisvilla799

    2 ай бұрын

    So basically it’s like running like usain or playing like Messi we will never be that good

  • @antoniosholomko

    @antoniosholomko

    2 ай бұрын

    😂

  • @LIO-LifeInOrder

    @LIO-LifeInOrder

    2 ай бұрын

    Not can't do it but that most will not take the actions to apply what he taught

  • @FragranceCraft

    @FragranceCraft

    2 ай бұрын

    In 20 years ...😊

  • @FragranceCraft

    @FragranceCraft

    2 ай бұрын

    ... he might be able to do it [when he has something to say with substance]

  • @pratikkodial5428
    @pratikkodial54283 ай бұрын

    Wonderful interview.. it is always a joy to listen to Howard Marks.. thank you for doing this.

  • @codebreaker4783
    @codebreaker47832 ай бұрын

    Great interview! I haven't heard of Howard before, but his wisdom on writing was eye opening

  • @MelchorMoore
    @MelchorMoore2 ай бұрын

    Thanks for doing this interview. I hadn’t heard of Marks before, but now I’m invested in getting one of his books

  • @sakacocox267
    @sakacocox267Ай бұрын

    He is a great thinker IMO. He ofcourse have the kind of experience in his belt that he able to answers the questions as if he is writing here. Things flows faster from his mind very clearly and vividly. Its a gem of the video to watch - about Life, about Investments, about writing, about success! I will share this podcast with my wife, not all podcasters are same :)

  • @Because_Reasons
    @Because_Reasons2 ай бұрын

    I just came across this KZread, and by GOD am I so glad I did. This is THE BEST writing, thinking and life advice on the internet. NO JOKE! So effing amazing. Reminds me of PBS with Bill Moyers :)

  • @EcomCarl
    @EcomCarl21 күн бұрын

    Howard approach to making complex financial concepts accessible is truly inspiring! Highlight clarity over complexity not only enhances understanding but also empowers investors to make better decisions. 👍

  • @filmawayvlad
    @filmawayvlad29 күн бұрын

    “Opportunities are not equally distributed”. Bravo!

  • @themoose7149
    @themoose7149Ай бұрын

    Love the memos and his books. I would recommend anyone to read them. Exceptional writer and thought leader in finance.

  • @randy74989
    @randy749892 ай бұрын

    In a word: Legend!

  • @ravinagarajan989
    @ravinagarajan9893 ай бұрын

    Outstanding interview, a must listen for all writers, especially financial writers!

  • @kjflick
    @kjflickАй бұрын

    A huge thank you for the great content. Your videos always inspire and inform. Keep up the amazing work! 👏

  • @vontaylorco
    @vontaylorco3 ай бұрын

    Omg your guests are freaking mind blowing

  • @vic_and_hugh

    @vic_and_hugh

    3 ай бұрын

    Truth

  • @DavidPerellChannel

    @DavidPerellChannel

    3 ай бұрын

    We have some fun ones coming up too. Interviewing Sam Altman next week.

  • @abdulbahrein6618

    @abdulbahrein6618

    2 ай бұрын

    @@DavidPerellChannelwhere

  • @Fkashmhd

    @Fkashmhd

    2 ай бұрын

    ​@@DavidPerellChannelwhen is the video coming?

  • @tedknudstrup6101
    @tedknudstrup6101Ай бұрын

    Really really enjoy listening and reading his material. Very similar to other even keeled men, Buffet, munger, Gates. Great common sense and down to earth guys. Such a treat that I now have the opportunity and privilege to hear their wisdom. Thank you

  • @kristofferjannotario2787
    @kristofferjannotario27872 ай бұрын

    Wow! I read both of his books!

  • @Alexibawendi
    @AlexibawendiАй бұрын

    As a newbie that wants to invest, you must have these three things in mind 1. Have a long term mindset. 2. Be willing to take risk. 3. Be careful on money usage, if you're not spending to earn back, then stop spending. 4. Never claim to know - Ask questions and it's best you work with a financial advisor.

  • @PhilCraig-vx3up

    @PhilCraig-vx3up

    Ай бұрын

    I'm favoured financially, Thank you Jesus $32,000 weekly profit regardless of how bad it gets on the economy.

  • @KaterinaEvan159

    @KaterinaEvan159

    Ай бұрын

    How ..? Am a newbie in crypto investment, please can you guide me through on how you made profit?

  • @Alexibawendi

    @Alexibawendi

    Ай бұрын

    Thanks to Mrs Maria Davis.

  • @Alexibawendi

    @Alexibawendi

    Ай бұрын

    She's a licensed broker here in the states

  • @PhilCraig-vx3up

    @PhilCraig-vx3up

    Ай бұрын

    YES!!! That's exactly her name (Maria Davis) so many people have recommended highly about her and am just starting with her 😊 from Brisbane Australia🇦🇺

  • @Hansa7122
    @Hansa7122Ай бұрын

    I really enjoy his thinking, so generous.

  • @NiaArifah-br6cr
    @NiaArifah-br6cr11 күн бұрын

    perfect paragraph is when there is no word left you can remove from your paragraph

  • @iAmWriting247
    @iAmWriting2473 ай бұрын

    Sooo excited for this!

  • @kidsonelm3303
    @kidsonelm33032 ай бұрын

    It’s great to see how he was excited about two different things: first accounting, then writing. Seems like the latter was due to having a great professor.

  • @FLASH4516
    @FLASH45163 ай бұрын

    This podcast was digital treasure this man speaks words into gold and diamonds

  • @vinniep237
    @vinniep2373 ай бұрын

    howard dresses like an artist - he could easily be on stage playing synths for LCD soundsystem

  • @BM_100

    @BM_100

    2 ай бұрын

    He has a striking resemblance to Dimitri Shostakovich, a Russian classical music composer.

  • @user-bl1fz1mf6l
    @user-bl1fz1mf6lАй бұрын

    In this interview Howard Marks emphasis on the point that jargons are used to create barrier between professionals and common people. However, if we look at a broader picture jargons can help complex ideas and logics in conversations without explaining them every time. Which not only is an more efficient method but also reduces an score of misinterpretation.

  • @bharathdmiriyala
    @bharathdmiriyala3 ай бұрын

    Wow! What an interview

  • @aidanleather
    @aidanleather3 ай бұрын

    Fantastic interview. Thanks!

  • @tedabiogorman
    @tedabiogorman3 ай бұрын

    I feel like you don't give enough time for your questions to develop and for the speaker to give you a deep answer. At 6:38 he's talking about opportunity and seems interested in continuing to talk about it then you ask a completely different question about investment opprtunity. Keep up the hardwork!

  • @marthajean50

    @marthajean50

    3 ай бұрын

    I agree -- there was a similar point in the discussion elsewhere, and he wasn't allowed to say more than the briefest thing before being derailed with another question. When you get a great guest like this, just let them deliver - they're great for a reason. Good show, just need to hear a bit more from the guest before changing it up.

  • @enmarcanete468
    @enmarcanete4683 ай бұрын

    Glory to God For this Amazing Conversation Sir David Perell with Sir Howard ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤...More God's Blessings and Favor To Of you and your family..😊🙏💕👍

  • @vic_and_hugh
    @vic_and_hugh3 ай бұрын

    Just saying what's up to all the early folks who have notifications turned on for this genius series

  • @DavidPerellChannel

    @DavidPerellChannel

    3 ай бұрын

    Hah! Thank you

  • @azukaabrahamnduka5242
    @azukaabrahamnduka52423 ай бұрын

    Incredible prodigious talent

  • @jut8146
    @jut81462 ай бұрын

    Great interview, not least because of the interviewer.

  • @FxBrawler
    @FxBrawler3 ай бұрын

    You are a great interviewer, David.

  • @user-os1qs2cz6r
    @user-os1qs2cz6r3 ай бұрын

    AMAZING TRUTH! He knows about lLeft brain vs. Right brain.

  • @rohanpande5074
    @rohanpande50743 ай бұрын

    Howard Marks is the most underrated investor of our time

  • @troymyers4033
    @troymyers40333 ай бұрын

    Thanks,Sir!

  • @whatdis
    @whatdis3 ай бұрын

    Pure gold

  • @booneguy
    @booneguy3 ай бұрын

    Noted, next books will by Marks'.

  • @Milly5288
    @Milly52882 ай бұрын

    Great video ❤

  • @dabig_guy2204
    @dabig_guy22043 ай бұрын

    Ideas that pay off.

  • @peterkortvel
    @peterkortvel3 ай бұрын

    Didn’t catch where I can subscribe to his Memos. Thanks!

  • @bobconstantine2775
    @bobconstantine27753 ай бұрын

    Where are his memos posted please

  • @ForgedInGreatness
    @ForgedInGreatness3 ай бұрын

    Not much more of luck just have been blessed. I remember in the Bible speaks our works will not go in vain, hard work and working smart if you do it long enough the rewards will come.

  • @OvaisHusain

    @OvaisHusain

    3 ай бұрын

    Glad that I found this channel.

  • @alexanderepifani2657
    @alexanderepifani26572 ай бұрын

  • @CSilva-nx6go
    @CSilva-nx6go2 ай бұрын

    I'm certainly simple. Now if I could just express that more brilliantly. Haha.

  • @cathyjennings5580
    @cathyjennings55802 ай бұрын

    Interesting information....... Thanks 😊 more....

  • @Premchik
    @Premchik3 ай бұрын

    Oh God! I had just caught a huge fright when he said "Amen" at the beginning! I thought he said "Hey man" ... ))) to this man!!

  • @yangnatamarga8224
    @yangnatamarga82242 ай бұрын

    nice interview, so deep yet still simple

  • @ashokkt01
    @ashokkt013 ай бұрын

    Great wisdom disguised as 'how I write'. Should be transcribed and published

  • @trevorkeyser9746
    @trevorkeyser97463 ай бұрын

    The best part of managing other people’s money! When you lose! You lose other people’s money! Never your own

  • @intrametaarchi1015

    @intrametaarchi1015

    2 ай бұрын

    and you might not know who they are, if they exist at all 😂

  • @theredflagisgreen

    @theredflagisgreen

    2 ай бұрын

    You lose fees and carry when you lose their money.

  • @mcclaink06

    @mcclaink06

    Ай бұрын

    That’s a very cynical way of looking at things. Keep doing that you’ll find yourself on the streets no one will fuck with you.

  • @CompoundingwithGuyMatt
    @CompoundingwithGuyMatt3 ай бұрын

    I love Howard Marks clarity. Thanks @DavidPerellChannel for interviewing him on a subject that he’s not typically interviewed about! /G

  • @Thomasbonner752
    @Thomasbonner752Ай бұрын

    I wanted to hear an expert's opinion on this as well. Currently retired and I have most of my 401k contributions of $200K going into small cap and utility funds, because these seem to be at a "discount" right now.I'm hoping this is a valid thought process?

  • @richiesteve1250

    @richiesteve1250

    Ай бұрын

    IMO, Adding JEPI and JEPQ is smart for retirement. As for staying committed to low-risk investments, it's all about balancing your risk tolerance with your long-term goals. Maybe also consider working with an advisor to help in diversifying your portfolio to spread out the risk

  • @sheltonPston

    @sheltonPston

    Ай бұрын

    You have a very valid point, I started investing on my own and for a long time, the market was really ripping me off. I decided to hire a CFA, even though I was skeptical at first, and I beat the market by more than 9%. I thought it was a fluke until it happened two years in a row, and so I’ve been sticking to investing via an advisor.

  • @corrySledd

    @corrySledd

    Ай бұрын

    I'm intrigued by this. I've searched for financial advisors online but it's kind of hard to get in touch with one. Okay if I ask you for a recommendation?

  • @sheltonPston

    @sheltonPston

    Ай бұрын

    There are a handful of experts in the field. I've experimented with a few over the past years, but I've stuck with ‘’AMBER KAY WRIGHT” for about five years now, and her performance has been consistently impressive. She’s quite known in her field, look her up.

  • @AUstinnesc

    @AUstinnesc

    Ай бұрын

    Thank you for the lead. I searched her up, and I have sent her an email. I hope she gets back to me soon.

  • @EJBuzzella
    @EJBuzzella2 ай бұрын

    Excellent content, although a bit too many ads in the beginning. In the end its worth it.

  • @damonblade3195
    @damonblade31952 ай бұрын

    I wonder what he thinks of Jack Welsh, the former CEO of General Electric ?

  • @sheikbasha7932
    @sheikbasha79322 ай бұрын

    If the market crashes, what is your idea... What are your assets values....!!!!! Such a risk how you cover... any idea....

  • @alioraqsa
    @alioraqsa3 ай бұрын

    This podcast give me "AHH"!

  • @paulwilfridhunt
    @paulwilfridhunt3 ай бұрын

    Whilst we don’t want to be preoccupied with luck nevertheless it exists And Solomon himself says so. If we are lucky ok that’s good. Let us rejoice in it. But if we are not blessed with much luck that’s ok too. Accept it. Don’t fight it. Go with it. Be content with your destiny. Great luck isn’t necessarily a guarantee of happiness. A sense of well being is the true objective. Ecclesiastes 9:11 “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” King James Version (KJV)

  • @DamonWright-cm8bf
    @DamonWright-cm8bf2 ай бұрын

    Lam Westwood AWA

  • @BSamuel1874
    @BSamuel18743 ай бұрын

    19:48 till 20:04 - this is magic. From accounting to Japanese. Thank you for this gem of a conversation

  • @pobitnik
    @pobitnik3 ай бұрын

    Sometimes it feels like I live under the rock for not knowing such great thinkers of out times. Thanks for shining lights on such wise and articulate man like Howard ❤ Probably going to spend next week reading his memos trying to catch up

  • @anderbeau
    @anderbeau2 ай бұрын

    Howard is amazing, the host dude is a doofus 😂

  • @DirkusTurkess
    @DirkusTurkess3 ай бұрын

    This is the kind of Marksism I can get behind.

  • @jonathanyoung5276
    @jonathanyoung5276Ай бұрын

    full of wisdom talking !

  • @filmawayvlad
    @filmawayvlad29 күн бұрын

    I sure believe in luck, too

  • @spymasterflash
    @spymasterflash3 ай бұрын

    Luck IS fleeting and random: One of my biggest business failures......found me the opportunity to meet my wife. She changed my life IMMEASUABLY....more than the hundreds of millions our company was poised to make!

  • @mikahundin
    @mikahundin2 ай бұрын

    - Howard Marks is renowned for his ability to distill complicated ideas into simple, clear messages, attracting a significant audience and managing over $190 billion in assets. - Marks emphasizes the importance of striving for the highest quality output, focusing on clarity and simplicity to make complex concepts accessible. - He believes in the value of writing to convey significant, lasting principles and lessons, rather than focusing on fleeting trends or predictions. - Marks' writing process involves gathering diverse sources of inspiration, making connections, and writing when he feels inspired, rather than adhering to a strict schedule. - He prioritizes logic, clarity, and accessibility in his writing, aiming to make his memos read like spoken language and to challenge readers to learn something new.

  • @TalesOfTrillions
    @TalesOfTrillionsАй бұрын

    Maybe Marks is onto something, but isn't simplifying complex ideas just dumbing down for the masses?

  • @raviwelcome19
    @raviwelcome192 ай бұрын

    Harward marks writes memos with intuition,

  • @mrmawaliya
    @mrmawaliya7 күн бұрын

    Billionaires still counting the risk of writing which can benefit others. But because people won't be able to implement it efficiently, so he can write comfortably for personal benefits more. Something is fundamentally wrong.

  • @user-ke6bm2kc8g
    @user-ke6bm2kc8g3 ай бұрын

    I prefer a genuine, non-performative interview style, with productive dialog.

  • @uhadme
    @uhadme3 ай бұрын

    If you think about the world, there is nothing in your control at all. Go save a fly, hero. Did this reject stroke his ego for 1 hour or what? Hilarious realm

  • @user-ji6qj1db3u
    @user-ji6qj1db3u2 ай бұрын

    Thats exactly how i write but like he said. Some insecure people like to make it difficult!!

  • @nicolenunes3739
    @nicolenunes37392 ай бұрын

    You people just never give up...

  • @CSilva-nx6go
    @CSilva-nx6go2 ай бұрын

    Check your email oak tree.

  • @meenusharma4961
    @meenusharma49612 ай бұрын

    Mari keemat or Hindustan ki keemat nahi lga sakte maney

  • @user-py2py2iu2h
    @user-py2py2iu2h2 ай бұрын

    I’ve watch many an interviews by Marks and read both of his books. This is perhaps one of my favorite sit downs.