Jeff Bezos Shares 2 Game-Changing Lessons He Learned From Warren Buffett
Written by
Gabrielle Olya
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett are two of the most successful business minds of our time. Though their paths to wealth differ, Bezos said he’s learned key lessons from observing Buffett — lessons that have shaped how he leads Amazon.
During a 2018 interview with The Economic Club of Washington D.C., the Amazon founder shared what he learned from the Oracle of Omaha.
Focus on Long-Term Value, Not Daily Stock Fluctuations
At the time of the interview, Amazon’s stock had gone up by 70% in a year — but Bezos said he doesn’t use the stock market as an indicator of how successful his company is.
“The great quote that Warren Buffett brings up all the time, that Benjamin Graham said is, ‘In the short run, the stock market is a voting machine; in the long run, it’s a weighing machine,'” Bezos said.
“What you need to do is operate your company in such a way, knowing that it will be weighed one day and just let it be weighed,” he continued. “Never spend any time thinking about the daily stock price. I don’t.”
Prioritize Fewer, Smarter Decisions for Better Outcomes
Bezos emphasized the importance of being well-rested to make high-impact decisions.
“As a senior executive, you get paid to make a small number of high-quality decisions,” he said. “Your job is not to make thousands of decisions every day.”
Bezos noted that if he slept less than eight hours a night, he would have more time to make decisions — but they would probably be of worse quality.
“If I make three good decisions a day, that’s enough,” he said. “And they should be as high a quality as I can make them.
“Warren Buffett says he’s good if he makes three good decisions a year,” Bezos continued. “And I really believe that.”
These lessons from Buffett have helped Bezos stay focused on long-term impact and thoughtful leadership — principles that any executive or entrepreneur can apply.
More From GOBankingRates
