I had a very nice conversation with Frank Blake on his podcast, Crazy Good Turns. It began like this:
FRANK BLAKE: I come from the business world and you’re an artist, but what you say and the thought processes you have as an artist are applicable far more universally than I ever would have thought.
I don’t know if other people have said that to you, but it’s extraordinary. I quote you all the time to business leaders.
AUSTIN KLEON: Well, I’m thrilled to hear it…. I’m thrilled to hear whenever my work is used in other fields because I’m someone who has been inspired by things outside of my own field.
Maybe one of the key takeaways from my books is that to be a voracious devourer of things outside of your field of expertise and do what Brian Eno calls import/export, where you export something from one field and import it into your own and sort of make it yours.
It’s a point I’ve tried to make over the years that others often make more successfully: My books aren’t just for “creatives,” but people doing all kinds of work.
The folks at CGT are giving away a bunch of my books and 1o of my favorites here.