The Slow Path to Greatness

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On May 4, 2025, an era ended. Warren Buffett, an investment icon, announced he will be stepping down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett’s impact in the world of investment and entrepreneurship needs no introduction.

If anything, the last shareholder’s meeting cemented his position as the greatest investor of our time, after it was revealed that his company, Berkshire Hathaway, surpassed major indices like the S&P 500 in terms of returns on investment. Here’s a chart that puts it in perspective;

While investors and experts ponder what’s next for the company under the new CEO, Greg Abel, we want to inform you that Buffett’s success is no mystery and can be replicated by anyone.

Admittedly, Buffett himself has credited some aspects of his success to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, such as the circumstances of one’s birth. However, the most important driver of success has remained principles which Buffett himself (together with his partner, the Late Charlie Munger) has shared several times.

In this episode, we have collected the top 10 success principles Buffett followed and the stories behind them.

Story: Buffett famously avoided investing in technology stocks during the 1999 dot-com bubble. While others chased skyrocketing prices, he stuck to what he called his “circle of competence.” Instead, he invested in companies like Coca-Cola and Gillette—brands he understood and believed in.

Result: When the bubble burst in 2000, Buffett’s portfolio stayed largely intact, while others lost billions. His strategy underscored a fundamental belief: understanding trumps trendiness.

2. Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy, and Greedy When Others Are Fearful

Story: During the 2008 financial crisis, when panic overtook the markets, Buffett invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs and $3 billion in General Electric—both deals structured to give Berkshire favorable terms.

Result: These investments yielded massive returns when the markets recovered. More importantly, they reinforced Buffett’s contrarian mindset—buying value when others sell in fear.

3. Build a Reputation Over Decades, and Guard It with Your Life

Story: In 1991, when Salomon Brothers was caught in a bond-trading scandal, Buffett took over as interim chairman. His first message to employees: 

“Lose money for the firm, and I will be understanding. Lose a shred of reputation, and I will be ruthless.”

Result: The culture of integrity he promoted helped restore credibility to the firm. Buffett’s focus on ethics wasn’t just personal—it was strategic.

4. Think Long-Term, Always

Story: Buffett bought See’s Candies in 1972 for $25 million. Rather than scaling aggressively or selling quickly, he focused on sustainable growth and preserving the brand’s culture.

Result: Over the decades, See’s has produced over $2 billion in pre-tax earnings for Berkshire. The lesson? Compounding takes time, and patience is profit.

5. Delegate, But Stay Informed

Story: Buffett famously lets his managers run their companies independently. However, he reads five newspapers a day and thousands of pages of reports annually.

Result: This balance of trust and vigilance allows him to remain strategically aware without micromanaging. It also enables Berkshire’s decentralized structure to thrive.

Story: In 2020, while other CEOs spent cash on stock buybacks, Buffett kept over $100 billion in reserve. Critics accused him of stagnation.

Result: When the pandemic caused a market crash, Buffett had the liquidity to make smart moves. He didn’t—because the deals weren’t right. But the discipline to wait showed that cash is not a burden; it’s optionality.

7. Live Below Your Means

Story: Despite being one of the richest men alive, Buffett still lives in the Omaha home he bought in 1958 for $31,500. He drives a modest car, eats McDonald’s, and prefers Cherry Coke to fine wine.

Result: This personal frugality sends a powerful message to employees and investors alike: success isn’t about consumption—it’s about consistency.

8. Choose Partners Wisely

Story: Buffett and Charlie Munger’s partnership spanned over six decades. Their intellectual chemistry was built on mutual respect, candid debate, and shared values.

Result: This duo built a culture of rational decision-making that permeated Berkshire. The trust between them served as a compass in times of uncertainty.

9. Never Stop Learning

Story: Buffett reads 80% of his day. From newspapers and annual reports to books on history and finance, he maintains a voracious appetite for knowledge.

Result: This learning habit kept him adaptable across economic cycles—from post-WWII recovery to the digital age. “The more you learn,” he says, “the more you earn.”

10. Make Your Passion Your Profession

Story: Buffett bought his first stock at age 11. At 14, he filed his first tax return. Investing wasn’t just a career—it was a calling.

Result: His joy in what he does infused Berkshire’s culture. Employees felt it. Shareholders felt it. And the world noticed. When passion meets purpose, longevity follows.