Want To Succeed Like Warren Buffett? It Might All Come Down To Who You Surround Yourself With: 'Pick The Right People'

Billionaire Warren Buffett, who became a millionaire by age 32, shares his secret to success with Gen Z: it’s not just about hard work, but also about the company you keep.

What Happened: Buffett's journey began with selling Coca-Cola door-to-door, a humble start that helped shape his future success. He believes others can follow his path if they identify their strengths, choose the right people, and aren’t afraid of making mistakes.

See Also: Trump’s 104% Tariff On Chinese Imports Sends Stock Futures Plunging — Dow Falls Over 500 Points

Buffett, the head of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. BRK BRK, in an interview with CBS News in March, emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people throughout one’s career. He highlighted intelligence, energy, and integrity as the top qualities he seeks in a work partner. He warned against trying to change people, citing his successful partnership with the late Charlie Munger as an example.

"Figure out what your strengths are and then pick the right people and don't be afraid of making mistakes," he said.

Buffett also noted that choosing the wrong business partner can be costly, using the example of Sam Bankman-Fried, whose cryptocurrency exchange went bankrupt. He encouraged Gen Zers to be resilient in the face of adversity and to invest in themselves.

Why It Matters: Buffett’s advice aligns with his previous statements. In 2024, he advised everyone to “write your obituary” and live up to it, reflecting on mortality after the passing of his business partner, Charlie Munger. In March 2025, he emphasized the importance of choosing the right life partner, attributing his success to this decision in a conversation with Bill Gates.

He also discouraged accepting jobs solely for their resume value or slightly higher starting pay, instead recommending finding work with a person or organization one admires, as reported in a speech at the University of Georgia.

Meanwhile, as President Donald Trump‘s tariff hike rattled global markets, billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg saw their fortunes tumble. Meanwhile, the ‘Oracle of Omaha'—Buffett—stood out as the only top 10 billionaire to post a year-to-date net worth gain in 2025.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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