“Reputation”: Read the letter from a page that Buffett sent managers for 25 years
Warren Buffett is widely considered one of the brightest minds of business – after all, he has spent decades maintaining Berkshire Hathaway as a multinational investment power.
Although it seems a quiet gentleman and a Coca-Cola fan, he admits that his leadership style can sometimes be “relentless.” In fact, the billionaire sends a harsh reminder to his managers every two years over his nonnegotiable principles, which include “zealously protecting Berkshire’s reputation”, something he believes is the basis of the entire company.
“We can afford to lose money – even a lot of money. But we can’t afford to lose reputation – not a reputation lint,” said the 94 -year -old businessman in a social media publication that is circulating again, a few months before leaving the company that led for over 50 years.
Take your business to the next level with the help of the country’s leading entrepreneurs!
Since assuming what was once a difficulty in difficulty in 1965, the well -known investor, valued at $ 152 billion, has transformed Berkshire Hathaway into one of the largest companies in the US. Under its leadership, Berkshire has reached a $ 1 trillion market capitalization this year. But from January 2026, Berkshire will no longer be under Buffett’s leadership; Instead, the memorandum will serve as a reminder that the future reputation is in the hands of the team.
“We must continue to measure each act not only for what is cool, but also for what we would be happy to see on the first page of a national newspaper, in an article written by an intelligent but hostile reporter.”
Protecting the reputation has been a constant theme in Buffett’s history – in a letter to the 2010 shareholders, he revealed that he sends that same reminder of a reputation for the team for over 25 years.
Famously, in 1991, speaking to members of Congress as President of the Investment Bank Salomon Brothers, Buffett conveyed this message to his employees: “Losing money to the company, I will understand. Losing a left of reputation for the company, I will be relentless.”
This feeling was echoed by other business billionaires, such as Jeff Bezos, who said, “Your mark is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”
The need to always plan the future
In May this year, the legendary investor announced that he would leave the position of CEO until the end of the year, passing the command to his successor, Greg Abel, after observing how much he could do on a day at work.
And as part of succession planning, Buffett asks his managers to send a handwritten letter with recommendations to those who should take their place in the future, adding that the letter will be seen by anyone but it unless he is no longer CEO.
“I need your help regarding the issue of succession. I don’t expect any of you to retire, and I hope everyone will live until 100 years old. (In the case of Charlie, 110.)” Charlie Munger, who died in November 2023 at the age of 99, was a close friend, trusted partner and Buffett advisor for over 60 years.
“But if they do not live, please send me a note or email with your recommendation about who should take over tomorrow, if you are disabled overnight,” Buffett wrote.
In the future, Buffett told Wall Street Journal that he will continue to go to the office.
“I won’t stay home watching soap operas. My interests are still the same.”
