time

What advice would you give your twenty-year-old self, and what should they ignore?

On the record

Public figures who have answered a question like this elsewhere. Quoted from the source shown, not written for FLAPSS.

Charlie Munger Vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, 1978–2023
Luckily, I got at a very early age the idea that the safest way to try and get what you want is to try and deserve what you want. It's such a simple idea. It's the golden rule so to speak. You want to deliver to the world what you would buy if you were on the other end. There is no ethos, in my opinion, that is better for any lawyer or any other person to have.

Recorded USC Gould School of Law commencement, Speakola, 2007 source ↗

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Founder and executive chairperson of Biocon
One day, I spoke to him about my sense of shame. He looked me in the eyes and told me that brewing was a science; it was not about getting drunk. He did not stop there. He said: 'Do not make judgment on things, people, and issues with half information.' He said there is truth in everything you see around. So, look for everything in its entirety. That was a game-changing moment for me.

Recorded Subroto Bagchi, Forbes India, 3 September 2009 source ↗

Ratan Tata Chairman of Tata Sons, 1991–2012
I would hope that most of you will in fact strive for leadership in a principled manner with values, because that would be the foundation that this country needs to have if it is to take its place in the world. I would hope that each of you would lead by example and that each of you would live by the principles that you espouse.

Recorded Indian School of Business, Hyderabad — graduation address, Rediff Business, 11 June 2010 source ↗

Indra Nooyi Chief executive of PepsiCo, 2006–2018
Never give up your passion for learning. And zoom out of your field before you zoom in. Some of my very best business insights have come from reading around subjects. They have come from approaching questions at a strange angle, from thinking about them from a different point of view. A lot of the knowledge that has really given me an edge in business has come from history, psychology, even chemistry. Connecting seemingly unconnected dots is what has served me well.

Recorded Wake Forest University commencement, 2011 source ↗

Akio Toyoda President of Toyota Motor Corporation, 2009–2023; chairman from 2023
Don't screw it up. Don't take it for granted. Try new things, even if you're old. Do the right thing, because if you do the right thing, the money will follow. Decide what you stand for. Finally, don't worry about being cool—be warm.

Recorded Babson College Graduate Commencement, Babson College (Babson Thought & Action), 21 May 2019 source ↗

0 answers from members

Nobody has answered this one yet.