#294 Napoleon

In this episode, the host discusses the merits of selling a business to Tiny, a company likened to the "Berkshire Hathaway of the Internet," founded by Andrew and Chris. Tiny offers hassle-free, straightforward cash exits for founders, with a process that includes a 48-hour response, a seven-day offer, and a closing within a month. The host compares Tiny's approach to Warren Buffett's principles, emphasizing product differentiation and the value of a business owner's legacy. Additionally, the host touches on the value of concise biographies, using David A. Bell's "Napoleon: A Concise Biography" as an example, and announces an upcoming in-person meetup with Shane Parrish. The episode also delves into Napoleon's life, drawing parallels between his tactics in warfare and leadership to strategies applicable in modern business, such as direct communication and the importance of controlling narratives.

• Tiny offers straightforward cash exits for founders looking to sell their businesses.
• Deals range from as little as a million dollars to over a hundred million dollars.
• The process of selling to Tiny is described as straightforward and hassle-free.
• Response time is within 48 hours, with an offer made within seven days, and closing within a month.
• Andrew and Chris, the founders of Tiny, have been influenced by Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger's thinking.

"Tiny is the easiest way for you to sell your business." "They provide straightforward cash exits for founders." "The founders, Andrew and Chris, have spoken about how the thinking of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger has influenced the way that they are building Tiny."

These quotes emphasize the ease and simplicity of Tiny's business model for selling companies and highlight the influence of renowned investors Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger on Tiny's founders.

• Rockefeller compared himself to Napoleon, admiring his organization skills and understanding of men.
• Rockefeller believed that Napoleon would have been the greatest businessman due to his genius for organization and leadership.
• The discussion suggests that the qualities that make a great leader in war are transferable to business.

"It is hard to imagine Napoleon as a businessman, but I have thought that if he had applied himself to commerce, he would have been the greatest businessman the world has ever known."

This quote from Rockefeller reflects the belief that Napoleon's strategic genius and leadership qualities would have made him an exceptional businessman.

• Napoleon is frequently mentioned in biographies of various historical figures and entrepreneurs.
• His life and military genius have influenced many, including Henry Clay Frick, Thomas Edison, Larry Ellison, Julio Lobo, Aristotle Onassis, Bill Gates, and Andrew Carnegie.
• The podcast host plans to read multiple biographies of Napoleon due to his extensive influence.

"The list of founders and entrepreneurs from history that studied Napoleon is very, very long."

The quote highlights the widespread interest and study of Napoleon among historical figures and entrepreneurs, indicating his significant impact on their thinking and strategies.

• The book provides an original and lively account of Napoleon's career.
• David Bell situates Napoleon in the context of revolutionary France.
• The biography emphasizes Napoleon's sense of human possibility and his political formation during the French Revolution.

"Napoleon's astounding life and military genius have captured imaginations for two centuries."

This quote summarizes the enduring fascination with Napoleon's life and achievements, as well as the significance of his impact on history.

• David Bell wrote a concise biography of Napoleon to offer an accurate, readable portrait that incorporates recent research.
• The author believes that shorter biographies can help increase readers' engagement with historical figures.
• Paul Johnson's concise biographies are praised for their accessibility and depth.

"My book has been written for readers who want an accurate, readable portrait of Napoleon that incorporates the results of recent research but is also concise."

David Bell explains his rationale for writing a concise biography, aiming to provide an accessible and well-researched portrait of Napoleon without overwhelming readers with excessive detail.

• Napoleon's return from exile is described as a theatrical event, showcasing his ability to control the narrative and inspire loyalty.
• His fall from power and subsequent exile are contrasted with his earlier triumphs and influence.
• Napoleon's strategic use of media to craft his image played a crucial role in his return to power.

"Napoleon orders his men to lower their weapons. He steps forward out in front of his own troops... 'If there is any soldier among you who wants to kill his emperor, here I am.'"

This quote describes a pivotal moment during Napoleon's return from exile, demonstrating his dramatic and effective approach to leadership and his ability to command loyalty from his troops.

• Napoleon understood the importance of managing celebrity in the service of power.
• He was bold, brilliant, and shrewd, using direct appeals to gain support.
• Napoleon utilized the printing press to create intense bonds with followers.
• The idea of internal communication within organizations, such as private internal podcasts, is likened to Napoleon's use of the printing press.

"Napoleon crafted all these images quite deliberately. He was a product of the first great modern age of celebrity, and he understood viscerally how to manage celebrity in the service of power."

This quote highlights Napoleon's strategic use of his image to gain and maintain power, which is an essential understanding of his approach to leadership.

• Napoleon was sent to military boarding school at age nine, where he faced hazing and isolation.
• His resilience and self-sufficiency were likely shaped by these experiences.
• Napoleon found solace in reading, developing a habit that would accompany him throughout life.
• His early writings show an awareness of ambition's destructive potential.

"He says he spent five years at the school without once returning home. The hazing he received from his fellow students on account of his accent, his fierce loyalty to Corsilca, and a first name unfamiliar to french ears."

This quote describes the challenging conditions of Napoleon's childhood, which played a significant role in developing his character and resilience.

• Napoleon was an avid reader, keeping detailed notes and a file of obscure words.
• His intense reading habit was common among history's great figures.
• Napoleon's notes and writings from his youth show an ironic view of ambition.

"By adolescence, the habit of intense reading had already become deeply ingrained. 'I live like a bear, always alone in my small room with my books,' he said."

The quote emphasizes the importance of reading in Napoleon's early life, suggesting it was a cornerstone of his intellectual development.

• Napoleon's first posting in the French army was marked by obsessive reading and a noticeable intensity.
• His leadership qualities became apparent after his father's death.
• Napoleon's ambition was recognized early by his family, especially his brother.

"The family soon came to recognize him, rather than his gentle older brother as its real leader."

This quote indicates the early recognition of Napoleon's leadership abilities within his own family, setting the stage for his future ascent.

• Napoleon's rise was facilitated by the chaos of the French Revolution.
• He showed political ruthlessness and military acumen during his early career.
• Napoleon's ability to reorganize artillery and identify strategic weaknesses was key to his success.

"What made it possible for Napoleon to follow the path of overweening ambition was the French Revolution."

The quote connects Napoleon's personal ambition to the broader historical context of the French Revolution, which provided the chaos he used to climb to power.

• Napoleon's rise from general to "the new Caesar" in three and a half years was unprecedented.
• The French Revolution's disruption of traditional hierarchies enabled new social mobility.
• Napoleon's ability to exploit the opportunities presented by the revolution was unique.

"Very few human beings have ever experienced what Napoleon did between mid 1796 and late 1799."

This quote summarizes the rapid and extraordinary rise of Napoleon to the pinnacle of power, highlighting the uniqueness of his experience.

• Napoleon was both a military and political genius.
• His mental abilities and understanding of military strategy were exceptional.
• Napoleon's stamina and attention to detail were critical to his success.

"He could see in a moment how to maneuver everything for maximum effect."

The quote captures Napoleon's strategic brilliance and his ability to rapidly assess and act on complex situations.

• Napoleon understood the importance of connecting with ordinary people in a democratic age.
• His political success was partly due to his ability to forge this bond.
• Rockefeller also noted Napoleon's skill in this area.

"Napoleon understood far better than his rivals that in a newly democratic age, political success depended on forging a bond with ordinary people."

This quote emphasizes the strategic insight Napoleon had regarding the importance of public support for political success.

• Napoleon frequently addressed his troops and recognized their achievements.
• He understood the importance of making individuals feel important and special.
• Napoleon remained approachable to his soldiers and ensured his exploits were known.

"He appealed to the soldier's sense of pride and destiny."

The quote reflects Napoleon's ability to inspire and motivate his soldiers by appealing to their sense of pride and future legacy.

• Napoleon founded newspapers to report on his conquests.
• He understood the power of controlling the narrative and ensuring his perspective was widespread.

"Napoleon founded two french language newspapers to report on his conquest."

This quote illustrates Napoleon's proactive approach to shaping public perception and the narrative surrounding his military campaigns.

• Napoleon experienced a swift rise to power, paralleling his subsequent fall.
• His conquest of Egypt marked a significant triumph, where he envisioned himself as a godlike figure.
• Upon returning to France, Napoleon played a key role in a government coup and exploited his charisma and personal appeal.
• Propaganda was a tool Napoleon used to his advantage, but it eventually began to affect his own perception of himself.
• Napoleon's transformation from a revolutionary to a monarch is likened to the narrative in George Orwell's "Animal Farm."

"Napoleon was utterly entranced with Egypt. Here he was not yet 30 years old, standing in triumph where Alexander and Caesar had stood before him." This quote highlights Napoleon's enchantment with Egypt and his ambitious self-comparison to historic conquerors, foreshadowing his eventual self-coronation as emperor.

"Napoleon, with his instinct and genius for propaganda, exploited his achievements for everything that they were worth." Napoleon's skillful use of propaganda is emphasized, showcasing how he built his reputation and appeal amongst the French people.

"He insisted on yet another new constitution, the fifth in eleven years, which transformed him into consul for life and gave him the ability to choose his successor." The quote demonstrates Napoleon's move towards absolute power, solidifying his transition from a revolutionary leader to an authoritarian figure.

• Napoleon's ambition to become a monarch was partly influenced by the European context of conservative monarchies.
• He believed that to be treated as an equal by other monarchs, he needed to become one himself.
• Symbolism played a significant role in his coronation, with Napoleon drawing comparisons to Charlemagne by involving the Pope.
• Napoleon's empire was seen as expandable, indicating his growing ambitions for conquest and domination.

"Napoleon took a step that forever changed his relationship to his country and to his image in history. He literally put a crown on his head." This quote signifies the moment Napoleon crowned himself emperor, altering his historical legacy and his nation's political trajectory.

"An empire was infinitely more expandable in ways that a nation state was not, signaling that Napoleon's ambitions as a conqueror had with the resumption of war increased by yet another degree of magnitude." The quote reflects on the expansiveness of Napoleon's imperial ambitions and his desire for conquest.

• Napoleon's military strategy included building a navy, but France lacked the maritime expertise to compete with Britain.
• The French naval inferiority was a strategic disadvantage that Napoleon failed to address effectively.
• Napoleon's tactics sometimes involved deception, such as feigning weakness to draw enemies into a trap.
• The idea of competing only where one has an edge is a lesson drawn from various historical and contemporary figures.

"France, with a far less developed maritime tradition, simply could not match the British in this crucial arena." This quote points out the critical weakness of the French navy compared to the British, highlighting a strategic misstep in Napoleon's military planning.

"Appear weak to conceal a strength." This strategy quote encapsulates the tactic of deception used by Napoleon to gain the upper hand in battle.

• Napoleon's rapid expansion and the creation of a vast empire led to bureaucratic inefficiencies and vulnerabilities.
• His arrogance and disregard for limits contributed to his eventual downfall.
• The empire's growth was likened to a shaky skyscraper, impressive from the outside but lacking a solid foundation.
• Napoleon's physical health began to decline, affecting his ability to lead effectively.

"Impressive as it was from the outside, the empire was increasingly coming to resemble a skyscraper built in haste without a proper foundation." This quote compares Napoleon's empire to a hastily built structure, suggesting that its impressive exterior masked underlying structural issues.

"Napoleon was now 40 years old and was growing slower. The once nervously thin revolutionary was getting stout, and he suffered from increasingly severe urinary infections and possible pituitary disorder, as well as what might have been mild epileptic fits." The quote describes Napoleon's physical decline, which paralleled the decline of his empire, emphasizing the importance of health and well-being for sustained leadership.

• The narrative draws parallels between Napoleon's empire and the lifecycle of companies, where growth can lead to inefficiency and eventual decline.
• Startups can disrupt established companies, which is a cycle that repeats throughout history.
• Successful entrepreneurs focus on building durable businesses and recognize the importance of gradual growth.
• Jeff Bezos is cited as an example of an entrepreneur who understands the importance of starting small and building over time.

"You can't skip steps. You have to put 1ft in front of the other. Things take time. There are no shortcuts, but you want to do those steps with passion and ferocity." This quote, attributed to Jeff Bezos, encapsulates the philosophy of patient, step-by-step growth in entrepreneurship, contrasting with Napoleon's rapid and unsustainable expansion.

"The empire was continuing to expand. The need to mobilize even larger populations to staff and supply the ever more bloated armies fed the unsteady expansion of the area under direct imperial control." This quote highlights the overextension of Napoleon's empire, drawing a comparison to companies that grow too quickly without a solid foundation, leading to their vulnerability.

• Napoleon's decision to invade Russia despite historical precedents suggesting the risks.
• The importance of learning from history and the consequences of failing to do so.
• The strategic errors made by Napoleon that led to the catastrophic retreat from Moscow.
• The physical and psychological toll on Napoleon's army during the Russian campaign.
• The ultimate impact on Napoleon's reign and the concept that success is not permanent.

"When Napoleon crossed into Russian territory, he brought along some potentially disturbing reading, Voltaire's history of Charles VI. It told the story of a king of Sweden, the most admired military leader of his time, which is exactly what Napoleon is at this point in his life."

This quote indicates that Napoleon was aware of historical failures similar to the situation he was about to enter but seemed to believe he could avoid the same fate.

"Presumably, Napoleon took Voltaire's work with him, or book with him, in the hope of avoiding Charles' mistakes. At one point early in the campaign, he told an aide, we shall not repeat the folly of Charles VII. But he does."

Napoleon intended to learn from the past but ultimately repeated the same mistakes, highlighting poor judgment and overconfidence.

"Unfortunately, Napoleon had given the Russians a long time to prepare, as early as 1810."

Napoleon's strategic error was in allowing his enemy ample time to prepare for his invasion, which was a significant factor in his defeat.

"The key to defeating Napoleon, they said, was to plan and pursue a war exactly contrary to what the enemy wants."

The Russian strategy was to avoid playing into Napoleon's strengths and instead draw out the conflict, which proved effective against Napoleon's tactics.

"Napoleon went from being young, quick and agile to old, fat and slow. Businesses do this too."

This quote reflects on the decline of Napoleon's physical and mental agility, drawing a parallel to how businesses can also deteriorate over time.

"The weather finally posed a variety of problems from the start... Temperatures felt of lower than 35 degrees below zero."

The extreme Russian winter played a crucial role in the failure of Napoleon's campaign, demonstrating the importance of environmental factors in military strategy.

"Of the original 650,000 strong force, barely 85,000 men made it back out of Russia."

The massive loss of life and the collapse of Napoleon's army during the retreat from Moscow illustrate the devastating consequences of his invasion.

• Warren Buffett's philosophy and approach to buying and managing businesses.
• The differentiation of Buffett's approach from other potential buyers like financial maneuverers or competing companies.
• The emphasis on autonomy for acquired businesses and the promise of a stable, long-term home for these companies.
• The importance of a simple, straightforward, and honest negotiation process in business acquisitions.

"If you should decide to sell, I think Berkshire Hathaway offers some advantages that most other buyers do not."

Warren Buffett positions Berkshire Hathaway as a unique buyer that provides benefits not typically found with other potential buyers.

"All of the businesses we own are run autonomously to an extraordinary degree."

Buffett's strategy involves allowing acquired companies to operate independently, which is attractive to owners who want their businesses to maintain their operating methods and culture.

"I'm enclosing a list of everyone from whom we have ever bought a business. And I invite you to check with them as to our performance versus our promises."

Transparency and a strong track record are used by Buffett as persuasive tools to assure potential sellers of his integrity and the fulfillment of his commitments.

"We would pay in cash... Your business would not be used as collateral for any loan by Berkshire."

The quote emphasizes the financial stability and straightforwardness of doing business with Berkshire Hathaway, contrasting with the complex financial arrangements of other buyers.

"I would be extraordinarily proud to have Berkshire, along with the key members of your family, own blank."

Buffett personalizes his approach, indicating respect and consideration for the personal attachment owners have to their businesses.

• The podcast offers detailed analyses of historical figures and business strategies.
• Recommendations for further reading and resources for listeners to explore topics in more depth.
• The use of specific episodes and books to provide comprehensive insights into business and history.

"For the full story, I highly recommend picking up this wonderfully concise biography."

The host encourages listeners to read further on the topic discussed, indicating the value of the book for a deeper understanding.

"If you haven't yet signed up for Founders Premium, I'm making Ama episodes on this private podcast."

The host promotes additional content available through a premium subscription, providing listeners with exclusive material.

"If you want to join my free email newsletter where I email my top ten highlights of every book that I read, that link is also down below."

The podcast host offers a free resource for listeners to receive curated book highlights, fostering a community of learning and knowledge sharing.

"I read this fantastic book called the Essays of Warren Buffett... I go over this letter that I'm about to read to you now."

The host shares his personal experience with the book, suggesting its value and providing a direct example from the content that listeners can learn from.