With a net worth of over $104B USD as of this year, Warren Buffett is one of themost successful investors on the planet. In June of 2010, he publicly committed to giving away 99% of his fortune to charity.
When it comes to the selection of key team members, one would do well to heed Buffett’s words. The hard truth is that, as Simon Cowell has pointed out, finding stars is difficult. Far more do not meet the high bar than otherwise – no matter what is on a person’s resume or what she/he claims in an interview. So when it comes to identifying the best, saying “no” to most who aspire to a senior role is absolutely necessary. The reality is that people fail because of their weaknesses – they do not succeed because of their strengths. Accordingly, it is critical to look at a person’s negatives (the “no’s”) in order to sort out the highest level of talent. This whole issue is particularly important when it comes to promoting an individual to VP or other higher office. if the person you are considering cannot say “no” in their business dealings, that individual will fail in spectacular fashion.
Ona solemn note, Barry Marsden, Chairman & CEO of Conair Aerial Firefighting, recently passed away rather suddenly at the age of 82. An Order of Canada and an Order of British Columbia, Barry was a titan in the aviation industry. It was an absolute honor and privilege for the Simpson Group to have worked with Barry for more than a decade. He will be missed by many. God’s speed dear sir, God’s speed.
