It’s Lonely At The Top: Leadership Skills From Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway since 1970, is a household name. He's worth $133.5 billion and one of the most influential leaders for the last 50 years. His accomplishments are remarkable and there are far too many to list; however, there is a dark side to Buffett’s position. Due to his personal knowledge of publicly traded companies, he must be careful what he discloses and when. As you can imagine, this can be incredibly lonely and frustrating at times.

This is where we are able to glean some insight. Although we may not be the CEO of a multi-billion dollar empire, we are still leaders in our own right and I’m sure many can relate to the idea of “it’s lonely at the top." Whether you are the CEO or a crew leader, there are things you must own rather than sharing it with your team. These are things that only you need to know and worry about. After all, that’s why you make the big bucks, right? Let’s dig into some of the advice Buffett has for us.

1. Invest in yourself: Buffett emphasizes the importance of continuously improving your own skills and knowledge. In the landscape industry this is so important because new technology and products are always changing our world. This is coming from a man who has made billions investing in others.

2. Surround yourself with the right people: He advises leaders to surround themselves with competent, trustworthy and hardworking people. I think it is essential to work with people who both inspire you and push you toward personal and professional growth.

3. Reputation is vital: Buffett often states that it takes a lifetime to build a reputation and only a few minutes to ruin it. At K&D, our business is primarily referral based and I would argue your most profitable and valuable partners come from your reputation.

4. Communicate clearly and transparently: Buffett places a high value on clear and honest communication. He believes that good leaders should be able to simplify complex ideas and communicate these ideas transparently to ensure that all stakeholders understand. Whether you are communicating with a client, team member or partner, transparency is key.

5. Focus on long-term goals: Buffett is a proponent of long-term thinking, particularly in investments and business strategies. This is a key part of our growth at K&D. Since 2015, we have had our 30x30 long-range goal that we are all marching toward. Buffett also encourages leaders to remain focused on long-term outcomes rather than being swayed by short-term fluctuations and pressures.

These principles have guided Buffett through his decades-long career, and they offer valuable lessons for leadership. If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed in your position, these principles can help rewire your mindset just in time for a summer vacation.

Raise the bar is a monthly column by Justin White, CEO of K&D Landscaping, written to help improve professionalism in the green industry. He can be reached at justin@kndlandscaping.com.