Warren Buffett calls this ‘indispensable’ life advice: ‘You can always tell someone to go to hell tomorrow’
By | Gillian Zoe Segal | www.cnbc.com
Aside from being recognized as one of the most successful investors of all time, Warren Buffett is also revered for his invaluable wisdom. But how did the Oracle of Omaha gain the knowledge that led him to such extraordinary achievements?
In his essay for my book, “Getting There: A Book of Mentors” (in which 30 influential leaders share their secrets to navigating the jagged path to success), the Berkshire Hathaway CEO revealed that he inherited many of his insights from a handful of people, who he refers to as his “heroes.”
One of those heroes is Tom Murphy, a media executive and the former CEO of Capital Cities/ABC Inc. Buffett described Murphy as an enormously even-tempered and able business person: “He didn’t have to shout or scream or anything like that. He did everything in a very relaxed manner.”
Practicing emotional discipline
More than 40 years ago, Buffett wrote, Murphy taught him an “indispensable” lesson about the importance of recognizing and controlling your emotions. “He said, ‘Warren, you can always tell someone to go to hell tomorrow,’” Buffett recalled. “It was one of the best pieces of advice I have ever received.”
