Howard Marks

Co-founder and co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here
There are a few things I dismiss and a few I believe in thoroughly. The former include economic forecasts, which I think don't add value, and the list of the latter starts with cycles and the need to prepare for them.

Oaktree memo, Oaktree Capital Management (client memo), 20 November 2001 source ↗

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Tobias Lütke Co-founder and chief executive of Shopify
So, look, I read lots of books, lots of them, you know, especially when I went from programmer to a business, realizing I have to just learn business really quick. I got really dismayed with the quality of business books pretty quickly, because frankly, I think the business books are largely written by the people who have time, who are not the people who actually build companies, frankly.
Recorded David Senra, David Senra's podcast, David Senra (published episode transcript), 2026 source ↗
Muhammad Yunus Founder of Grameen Bank; Nobel Peace Prize laureate, 2006
I am in favor of strengthening the freedom of the market. At the same time, I am very unhappy about the conceptual restrictions imposed on the players in the market. This originates from the assumption that entrepreneurs are one-dimensional human beings, who are dedicated to one mission in their business lives − to maximize profit.
Recorded Nobel Peace Prize lecture, Oslo City Hall, The Nobel Foundation, 10 December 2006 source ↗
Katie Taylor Irish professional boxer; Olympic champion 2012
I have never felt the need to trash talk, and I'm not going to start now! I just quietly do my job and then quietly step into the ring to showcase what I can do. And one thing is for sure: I'm going to leave it all in the ring. I've always had such a will to win, and I always give my heart and my soul, so I don't need to change who I am.
Recorded RTÉ, 7 July 2025 source ↗
Reid Hoffman Co-founder of LinkedIn; partner at Greylock Partners
Our culture lionizes entrepreneurs who navigate daring switchbacks in their career. Steve Jobs was admired not just for Apple, but also his detour to found Pixar. Elon Musk is revered for helming Tesla AND SpaceX. But don't be distracted by other people's winding paths. I believe you should celebrate your single-mindedness, and stick to your own overarching idea — for as long as it holds your own fascination. In my experience, that could last your entire career.
Recorded Hoffman's own Medium publication, Reid Hoffman on Medium source ↗

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Question What does everyone in your world seem to agree on that you think is wrong? Values & belief
In my opinion, the key to dealing with the future lies in knowing where you are, even if you can't know precisely where you're going. Knowing where you are in a cycle and what that implies for the future is very different from predicting the timing, extent and shape of the next cyclical move.
Recorded Oaktree memo, Oaktree Capital Management (client memo), 20 November 2001 source ↗

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