Scott Adams: Advice I Still Think About
I’ve known Scott Adams for about twelve or thirteen years.
He was one of the very first guests on my podcast. And of course, he’s the creator of Dilbert, which was my favorite cartoon strip for decades.
Around 2013, he started writing about his life. His opinions. His approach to success. What actually worked for him.
The first book was How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big. Then he followed it up with Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don’t Matter.
Both are must-reads.
Win Bigly might be the best book ever written about real-world persuasion. Not theory. Not academic. Just how persuasion actually works when real people are involved.
Scott had a deep understanding of hypnosis. He understood the techniques at a level where he could use them naturally, conversationally, effectively.
How to Fail came directly from his life story. In that very first podcast we did together, he told the story of how Dilbert became a hundred-million-dollar success.
It wasn’t a straight line. It was failure after failure after failure.
Over the years, Scott also became known for his political commentary. He had a daily podcast, Coffee with Scott Adams, which I listened to regularly.
Over more than a decade, he became a close friend. Even a mentor.
We talked on and off podcasts, both his and mine. And during times when I was frustrated or upset, he had an incredible ability to reframe problems so they would become wins.
When I first heard he was sick last June, I was devastated. He prepared everyone for what was coming, and a few days ago, he passed away. It was really upsetting.
I hate when people take advantage of someone’s death by saying, “Oh, I knew him great. He was my best…” blah, blah, blah.
That’s not what this is. Set aside your opinions for a moment. Scott had opinions you may or may not have agreed with…
But ultimately he was a great artist. A great storyteller. He understood the DNA of success and the mechanics of persuasion at a practical, usable level.
You could genuinely improve your life by reading his books.
I love this guy. I’m really sad he’s gone. I learned a lot from him, and I want to share a little of that with you.
Rest in peace, Scott Adams.
And if you haven’t learned from him yet—or even if you have—this is a good time to revisit what he taught. We always had a great time talking.
