Warren Buffett Shares Three Key Traits To Look For When Hiring. Says That Without Integrity, The Other Two 'Will Kill You'

Warren Buffett is all about keeping things simple, including hiring people. Even at 94 years old, the billionaire investor, known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” still shares advice beyond investing. One big piece of wisdom he has shared is how he chooses who to hire. He looks for three main traits: intelligence, energy and integrity.

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Buffett says that all three traits are important, but integrity is crucial. He puts it like this: “We look for intelligence, we look for initiative or energy and we look for integrity. And if they don’t have the latter, the first two will kill you because if you’re going to get someone without integrity, you want them lazy and dumb.”

In other words, if someone isn't honest, their intelligence and energy can do more harm than good. A smart, hardworking person who can't be trusted could cause big problems for a company. Buffett would rather hire someone who might not be the smartest but is trustworthy than someone brilliant but dishonest.

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Buffett has led Berkshire Hathaway BRK since 1965 and he has proved just how important these three traits are. Recently, Berkshire hit a $1 trillion market value and Buffett just turned 94 – but he's not planning on retiring anytime soon. His advice isn't just talk; he's lived by it, building a team that has lasted for decades.

Buffett also has recommendations about choosing a career. He says, “Take the job you would take if you didn't need the money.” He still enjoys his work at Berkshire even though he doesn’t need to work anymore. This kind of mindset – doing what you love because it brings you joy – is a big part of why his advice means so much to people.

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Buffett's suggestions show how important integrity is for long-term success. Integrity is the foundation that makes intelligence and energy useful. Without it, those traits can backfire. So, if you're in charge of hiring, take Buffett’s advice: look for smart, enthusiastic and, most importantly, trustworthy people.

It’s never too early to start thinking about these lessons. Although it may be difficult to replicate Buffett’s exact path today, the key takeaway is that when you invest in your future and yourself, every year matters. Start early, be honest and keep trying to grow – these things lead to real success over time.

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