A Message from Our CEO – March 2023

Dear Friends,

In 2003 I met Warren Buffett in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Omaha as part of our Gallup MBA class. For two hours, our small class of 15 asked him questions and soaked up his insightful ramblings on work, the economy, capitalism, and the meaning of life.

I think of that day when considering the head spinning number of trends and changes in today’s business climate. How do we ground ourselves as leaders and managers in this weird post-2020 work environment? We have quiet quitting, productivity paranoia, and hush trips. The latest is Bare Minimum Mondays—adopted by Gen Z to ease into the work week after “Sunday Scaries”.

I’ll never forget one line Buffett quipped about change, trends and forecasting. After taking a swig of his Cherry Coke he said: “Good leaders know that the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield. Stick with great leaders and great managers. Don’t get thrown off by distracting trends.”

Sure enough, today’s work trends are very real, but they are a distraction from what makes an organization a great organization, despite the bugs on the windshield. Great leaders inspire and motivate around a common goal, set a clear vision, build a strong culture of trust, and create an environment that allows peoples’ talent to flourish. These are foundational principles whether your people work from an office or remotely, Gen Z, Millennial or Boomer (oh, and even Gen X).

The trends and changes will start to come faster, so buckle in with your best and brightest.

Thank. You. Warren (Buffett).

Warren