Episode 003: Anthony Scaramucci

Introduction:


Anthony Scaramucci is a Tufts undergraduate, Harvard Law School
graduate, and playing off of the title of a great song by Drake,
a man with middle class-blue collar roots from Long Island who
most definitely “started from the bottom” and is now very here.
Prior to making his 950,400 seconds as Director of White House
Communications during the summer of 2017 among the most 11
memorable and talked about days in West Wing history, Anthony was
making a difference on Wall Street, in the early days with
Goldman Sachs, and thereafter with Oscar Capital Management,
Neuberger & Berman, Lehman Brothers and his very successful
hedge fund of hedge funds, SkyBridge Capital. Anthony has long
been on the cutting edge of thought provoking conversation,
creations and ideas long before his recent multi-media
appearances and headline grabbing quotes created impactful mental
images for many. By way of example, SkyBridge Capital’s SALT
conference in Las Vegas and Asia, with its star-studded panel of
decision makers, industry experts, finance professionals and
members of the alternative investment community, has been
described as being committed to facilitating balanced discussions
and debates on macro-economic trends, geo-political events and
alternative investment opportunities within the context of a
dynamic global economy. Anthony is a family man, who enjoys
spending time at home and riding around his stomping grounds,
Port Washington, New York.


Episode Notes:


At 4:13, Anthony Scaramucci discusses the message of his first
book, doing the right thing and the importance of having the
highest level of integrity. At 6:56, Anthony talks about why it’s
crucial to know your craft. He is not the most organized guy or
manager, but excels at team building and setting up a system for
a team to flourish. He also delegates a ton of responsibility and
autonomy to the individuals he works with. “People work with me.
No one has ever worked for me” (at 7:34). At 8:19, Anthony takes
us back to when he was 11 years old in 1975 and his paper route
for Newsday that over he grew over time to be the largest paper
route in the area. At 10:15, Anthony addresses his “oh my
moments” and gives us his life message at 54 years old after
being fired twice in his lifetime. At 12:39, he enlightens us
about his introduction to literature professor at Tufts
University, Sol Gittleman. At 14:17, Anthony discusses the
importance of charity work, helping family and Jackie Robinson.
At 15:34, he notes, “What are you going to do with the money? You
going to have the hearse be carried by the brinks truck?” At
16:15, he speaks highly of Nana’s influence on his work ethic and
Red Holzman’s team first mantra. At 18:42, Anthony reflects on
his 950,400 seconds in The White House and being declared the
hatchet man. He thought he would last longer than a carton of
milk in the refrigerator. At 26:19, he shares a story about
working at Ghost Motorcycles for his Uncle Sal, and the time in
1981 when Uncle Sal sent him to Harlem at 17 years old with
“Chico the Doberman” to deliver a bike to a potential customer.
At 33:33, Anthony informs us of the life and business lessons
learned in his 1998 travels to Asia and meeting Li Ka-shing, Hong
Kong’s richest man - always leave money on the table for your
partners and the importance of a karma bank. At 38:01, he notes
why you have to adapt or die and building a circle of competence,
staying in your lane and putting your ego aside (at 41:06). At
42:16, Anthony describes “front stabbing” vs. “back stabbing” and
“putting your name on it.” At 44:37, he explains The Windex
Disorder and the power of networking. At 45:35, Anthony discusses
why everyone should have an annual ambition checkup. At 47:41, he
advises college students and job seekers to not make the mistake
he made, and instead to “not pick the cool job.” At 52:35,
Anthony’s shares “The 12th day” - a chapter in his new book
releasing in October of 2018. This recounts the day after he was
fired from The White House - how he dusted himself off and how he
handled it. At 53:53, he talks about his Mets fandom and Tug
McGraw’s 1973 tagline, “Ya Gotta Believe.” At 57:36, Anthony
notes that he is unbothered by others perception of him and
individuals in the political arena and the media not taking him
at face value. At 1:00:18, he concludes with a story of when he
was an 18-year-old President of Port Washington High School in
1981, and attended a meet and greet for President Ronald Reagan
at The Plaza Hotel.