David Perell thought about friendship.

Most creators hang with people who cheer them on. David Perell says to hang with people who challenge you instead. The ones who tell you when your ideas suck. That’s the real growth hack.

Why this works

• Honest feedback is the fastest path to improvement
• High standards are contagious
• Peer accountability beats self-motivation
• Taste rubs off when you’re surrounded by people with better taste

Real-world examples

• Pixar’s “brain trust” meets after every project to give brutal feedback
• Writers like Ryan Holiday swap drafts and share honest critiques
• YC founders join private Slack groups to stress-test ideas before launch
• Elite athletes train in pods to push each other harder

If you want to make better stuff, build a better circle.