Ted Weschler: Having lunch and getting hired by Warren Buffett

TL;DR

The speaker shares his journey from being a fan of Warren Buffett to winning an auction, eventually leading to a job offer at Berkshire Hathaway.

Transcript

You know i went to school uh in Philadelphia  college and in 1979 when i started there was a   a good friend of mine who um uh we were  both in the business school there and he   said you know if you're really interested in  business or this guy Warren Buffett who you just   should read anything that he writes i had  never heard of Warren Buffett i... Read More

Key Insights

• ✍️ Warren Buffett's writings and investment strategies have had a significant impact on the speaker's interest in business and finance.
• 🎅 The Glide Foundation is a well-regarded charity in San Francisco, known for efficiently running essential services for the less fortunate.
• 👯 Warren Buffett's down-to-earth personality and genuine interest in connecting with people make him a great conversationalist.
• ⏳ Winning multiple auctions allowed the speaker to spend quality time with Buffett and eventually led to a job opportunity.
• 🔇 The speaker initially declined the job offer due to personal and professional commitments but eventually reconsidered.
• 🛀 Buffett's willingness to accommodate the speaker's needs and circumstances shows his supportive and flexible leadership style.
• 🆕 The speaker's decision to join Berkshire Hathaway was driven by a desire for a fresh start and new challenges in his career.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker become interested in Warren Buffett?

In college, a friend recommended reading Buffett's writings, which the speaker found clear and insightful, leading to a deep admiration for his investment strategies.

Q: What is the Glide Foundation?

The Glide Foundation is a charitable organization in San Francisco that runs a soup kitchen and a healthcare clinic, providing hope and assistance to the disadvantaged.

Q: How did the speaker's first meeting with Warren Buffett go?

The speaker describes a friendly and relaxed atmosphere during their first meeting. Buffett made him feel comfortable and eager to engage in conversation.

Q: How did the speaker end up working at Berkshire Hathaway?

After multiple successful auction wins and a proposal from Buffett, the speaker decided to join Berkshire Hathaway, but with the condition that he would commute from his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, two days a week.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker first learned about Warren Buffett in college and started reading his writings, finding clarity in his investment strategies.

• By attending a charity auction held by Buffett's foundation, the speaker won the opportunity to have a dinner with Buffett.

• The dinner went well, and the speaker won the auction again the following year. This time, Buffett offered him a job at Berkshire Hathaway, which the speaker initially declined but eventually accepted.