Warren Buffett is seldom wrong, especially regarding investment and innovation. As most of us know, the Oracle of Omaha offers wisdom that goes beyond industries, generations, and cultures.
And that wisdom, even if it seems obvious (ever catch yourself saying, “Wait, I could’ve said that myself!”), is usually right on the mark. Like this piercing bit of truth-telling:
If you get to my age in life and nobody thinks well of you, I don’t care how big your bank account is, your life is a disaster.
That’s what Buffett once shared with a group of students at Georgia Tech when they asked him about his idea of success. He explained that success isn’t just about wealth, power, fame, or collecting lots of expensive toys before you pass away. Instead, he emphasized the importance of meaningful achievements and personal fulfillment.
Buffett’s ultimate measure for success
In the same quote mentioned above, which is included in the Buffett biography The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, Buffett also shared this piece of wisdom with the students (get ready to be amazed):
Basically, when you get to my age, you’ll really measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you.
I know many people who have a lot of money, and they get testimonial dinners and they get hospital wings named after them. But the truth is that nobody in the world loves them.
That’s the ultimate test of how you have lived your life. The trouble with love is that you can’t buy it. You can buy sex. You can buy testimonial dinners. But the only way to get love is to be lovable. It’s very irritating if you have a lot of money. You’d like to think you could write a check: I’ll buy a million dollars’ worth of love. But it doesn’t work that way. The more you give love away, the more you get.
Let me clarify: The key lesson and “the ultimate test” of a meaningful life are not about money but focus on the most powerful emotion humans experience: love.
That’s what I’m talking about. Thank you, Warren.
Closer to home, you have to ask: How can everyday workers, leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs with big ideas live out this principle of “the more love you give away, the more you get back”? In other words, what steps should you take to become so loved by others that, when you’re ready to retire or step back, they will shower you with praise, awards, admiration, and tell the world, “He loved well”?
I suggest there are ways—although completely counterintuitive—to put this practical kind of love into action if you are daring and courageous.
1. Act selflessly, helping others without expecting anything in return
The laws of love are mutual, but someone has to make the first move—why not it be you? When we choose to love someone first—whether it’s lifting up a colleague with encouragement, helping develop an employee under your guidance, or adding deep meaning and purpose to someone’s work—love returns in full force through respect, admiration, trust, loyalty, commitment, and voluntary effort.
2. Practice the “Platinum Rule” instead of the Golden Rule
We all know the universal Golden Rule: “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” But the Platinum Rule elevates this idea to a new level of caring: “Treat others the way they want to be treated.” The Golden Rule, as great as it is, has its limitations because all people and situations are different. When you follow the Platinum Rule, however, you can be sure you’re actually doing what the other person wants and improve your chances of a better outcome.
3. Do what you love
In closing, I return to Buffett for one last priceless insight:
In the world of business, the people who are most successful are those who are doing what they love.
Think about it. Does that thought ever cross your mind during your daily work? For most of us, we take our comfortable paycheck, health benefits, and job security for granted, even though we might dislike our jobs and wish we were doing something else—something we truly loved.
Engaging in activities we truly enjoy can really uplift our spirits. What’s most important is to find out what truly sparks your passion. If you’re not quite sure yet, don’t worry; your first step is simply to start exploring and discovering what makes you feel alive.
—Marcel Schwantes
This article originally appeared on Fast Company’s sister website, Inc.com.
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