Warren Buffett, a can-do person and the second wealthest person in the United States, talks again with Charlie Rose in a three part series of wisdom and comment. The first part of the series aired last night and is available online today. Here is a sample of anecdotes shared.
Buffett “loves teaching.” He includes comments about how teachers and others helped shape his life.
Other people helped him learn to make each decision as though he will read it in the newspaper tomorrow.
And he suggests people backward engineer their lives.
He cites an old research study report that observes that you can tell how successful a person will become by how early he or she owns his or her first business.
About hitting against Bob Gibson, a noted former major league baseball pitcher, he said, “I only play with the best!” He follows in business Ted Williams’ principle of waiting for the right pitch.
He buys over $100 million of investments in businesses every day. He looks for a business he understands. Before buying, he decides whether the owners of the business love money or the business more. He buys only businesses owners love more than money.
All educators will glean at least one reminder for conducting a classroom, designing a lesson, hiring teachers, etc. by listening to this man’s enthusiastic responses to questions.
Students of all ages and all interests should be required to pass a test on the wisdom he shares about succeeding in life.
He defines success with the profound question, “Who will hide you?” It comes from a story he tells about his wife’s best friend. I won’t give away the story, so you may enjoy it in context.
This is a must see and hear series for people passionate about assisting others to succeed in life.
Maybe this series in a classroom, with or without a Tablet PC, will melt someone’s latent cynicism about success as such wisdom melted mine when I heard repeated stories about accomplished people from teachers and family.
Thanks, Charlie, for your thoughtful interviews. You’re a good teacher!