Thought

I couldn’t shake this memory from when I was 4. I was in a crowded public place, half shuffling, half being dragged through by dad. I was so bored.

A crouching old lady with a flimsy pink plastic bag full of oranges caught my attention as I was about to pass.

I kicked the bag, oranges rolled everywhere, and the old lady yelled, upset and obviously having a hard time regrouping her oranges in the crowd.

No one knew I had anything to do with it. It’s no heinous crime. Little did I know that guilt would stay with me till now.

Little things, good and bad, add up.

Scoop

In Warren Buffet’s speech to an MBA class of the University of Florida in 1998, he addressed the future success of the students, emphasizing that while they all possess the intelligence, energy, and initiative to succeed, these alone are not enough. He shared a hiring philosophy from Pete Kiewit:

Buffett asked the students to imagine they could invest in 10% of a classmate’s future earnings based on merit. He suggested they wouldn’t choose the jock with the highest IQ or best grades, but rather someone with leadership qualities, generosity, honesty, and the ability to inspire others.

Conversely, he asked them to consider whom they wouldn’t invest in, pointing out that they’d avoid those who were egotistical, greedy, or dishonest.

Buffett highlighted that the positive qualities they admired and perceived as successful long term are attainable by anyone and are rooted in behavior, temperament, and character. He also noted that the negative qualities are avoidable.

This gives us regular Joe a lot of hope.

It makes sense—if you can’t trust someone to act with integrity in a situation that demands it, then should they really be allowed near you or your work?

The answers is an obvious “no,” but it also raises another, more difficult question: How do you know who to trust?

At Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting in 2007, an attendee asked Buffett that exact question.

The billionaire offered his perspective: “People give themselves away fairly often. When someone comes to me with a business, the very things they talk about, what they regard as important—there are a lot of clues that come as to subsequent behaviour.”

I remember thinking I was doing something right per this list only to realise though the action was aligned, the outcome was wrong because my mind was not at the right place.

Mis-alignment may not even be on purpose—give that some thought when you check-off this list.

1. Practice Integrity:

• Make honest choices, even when no one is watching.

• Keep your promises and commitments.

• Admit mistakes and take responsibility for them.

• Be consistent in your words and actions.

• Avoid cutting corners or engaging in unethical practices.

2. Foster Generosity:

• Help others without expecting anything in return.

• Share knowledge, resources, and support with peers.

• Practice acts of kindness regularly.

3. Develop Leadership Skills:

• Inspire and motivate others through your actions.

• Be a good listener and value others' opinions.

• Lead by example and be willing to guide and mentor.

• Recognize and credit others for their contributions.

• Collaborate effectively and value diverse perspectives.

• Build strong, positive relationships within your team.

4. Cultivate Honesty:

• Be truthful in your communications.

• Build trust by being reliable and transparent.

• Avoid deceitful behaviour, even in small matters.

5. Avoid Egotism:

• Stay humble and acknowledge that you can learn from others.

• Share the spotlight and celebrate collective achievements.

• Listen more than you speak.

6. Steer Clear of Greed:

• Focus on long-term goals rather than short-term gains.

• Prioritize ethical behavior over personal gain.

• Practice gratitude and contentment with what you have.

Quote of the Day

Last Word

The choices we make, both big and small, shape who we are. It has become more and more apparent to me that kicking a bag of oranges when I was 4, amongst many decisions I’ve made in life thus far, has a lingering effect—that is my load to bear.

May every choice you make be blessed with integrity.

+1% each day