Warren Buffett claims the secret to his success is that he sits in his office and reads all day. Can it really be that simple? I found an interesting article this week arguing that while the knowledge Buffett references is an important piece of the puzzle, there’s more. I have to agree.
Sometimes the best knowledge is gained firsthand, from the experts in the field with whom we’ve cultivated mutually beneficial relationships. It’s all about knowing who to call, and what to ask. This tailors the information you receive, and saves a ton of time. Likewise, Buffett is keenly aware of who he can help and who can help him. He gains insight through his own pursuit of knowledge, as well as from the people in his contacts. This is much more nuanced than learning from a Google search or ChatGPT, which can fool you into thinking you have a deep understanding of a subject when you’ve really just scratched the surface.
Gaining knowledge and building relationships is hard work, but worthwhile on many levels. There is no website or publication that can replace asking the right questions and understanding when to listen.