Had myself a tyrant: 6 terms of John D. Rockefeller success
Inspiration / / December 26, 2019
In 1870, when he was 31, John D. Rockefeller became the world's largest oil refiner. Retirement, he was considered the richest man in America, and by the end of his life - the richest in the world. His personality and methods evaluated in different ways.
For critics Rockefeller - a ruthless capitalist who put down the competition and created a vicious monopoly. For admirers - business genius, the personification of dreams about the success achieved by his labor. Anyone who has strengthened unstable industry, create new jobs, reduced oil prices.
Perhaps the most amazing quality of this individual was an incredible self-control. John knew that if he wanted to be the leader himself, learn to govern themselves. You can refer to the first in the history of billionaires as you like, but its principles should take note. They are neutral from the point of view of ethics and will be useful in any endeavor.
1. unwavering perseverance
Rockefeller was born in a poor family simple. From childhood he helped his parents on the farm, caring for younger brothers and sisters,
moonlighting. Education in the school to give him hard. Later, his classmates said that while he does not stand out, except that zeal. But therein lies one of the secrets of his success: he carried out assignments with patient perseverance.After high school, John went to college, and soon discovered his ability to work with numbers. Not wanting to spend years training, he left college and enlisted in the three-month accounting courses. At age 16 he began to look for a job.
Rockefeller wanted to get a place in a large reputable company, where the most opportunities to learn something and move on. He compiled a list of the most reliable banks, shopping and the railway companies.
Every day he put on a suit, shaved, cleaned boots and went to look for work. In each company, he asked the head of the chief, but usually it offers to talk with the assistant. Rockefeller immediately informed him that understands accounting and wants get a job.
Having all of the company from the list without result, he started again and revisited each. In some he came three times.
He refers to the search as a full-fledged work, doing it six days a week from morning to evening. Six weeks later, he finally heard the welcome words: "We'll give you a chance." Small company Hewitt & Tuttle urgently needed an assistant accountant, and Rockefeller offered to start work immediately. This day, he remembered the rest of his life, and is considered the beginning of his success.
2. Self-control and restraint
Rockefeller's mother since childhood taught him that the control over itself means control over others. He remembered it, and his leadership style was very different from the typical to the then industrial magnates. His power is not based on an angry banging his fist on the table, and impassive demeanor.
In his youth he had been violent, but later learned control his temper. From then until the end of his life he was distinguished by a surprising equanimity, maintaining equanimity in all situations. This cool complement accentuated restraint. Usually John almost did not reveal his thoughts, even the closest associates.
Rockefeller followed the principle: "Success comes when you keep your eyes open and your mouth shut."
He kept his temper under control, reaction and facial expression. He never lost his temper, communicating with employeesEven when they complained about something. According to them, he always found a kind word for everyone, and no one is forgotten. Such calmness and friendliness even in difficult times for the company has won excellent reviews Rockefeller workers. They regarded him as an honest and generous, free from petty outbreaks and dictatorship.
Rockefeller believed in the power of silence, and in meetings with other leaders also listened more than he spoke. It's almost supernatural calm only strengthened his influence. Rivals it upsets and long pauses during a discussion of the transaction is confusing.
Although the criticism, which he considered unfair, and irritated him, he restrained impulses to react sharply. This was due to more iron shutter and the device of his nature: he is not thirsty the approval of othersEspecially those who are not respected.
3. Modesty
It may seem that Rockefeller was a proud man, but this is not true. Throughout his life, he diligently to cultivate modesty. He knew that power and wealth can make a person arrogant, and consciously fought it.
When it began to grow capital, every day he repeated to himself like a proverb: "Proud pokichilsya, but rolled in the dust." Lying in bed at night, he reminded himself of the oil industry instability and fragility success.
John D. RockefellerThe thing went wrong, and you already think that you are a good businessman. Look, do not rush, and you will lose your head. It is because of the money you'll perk up?
So I warned the businessman himself. He believed that such self-talk to help him stay on track.
More Rockefeller positively affect participation in the church community. He diligently attended the service and helped in every way: led prayers and taught Sunday school, if necessary, acted as secretary or janitor. Neither one job did not consider it beneath their dignity. Becoming one of the richest men in the country, not Jon began attending church more fashionable, as did others. Instead, he became even more appreciate the opportunity to communicate with ordinary people.
Rockefeller generally always been interested in people and their destinies. He loved to ask new acquaintances about the life and I listened attentively them. Circling its refineries, he asked the local leaders of questions that can be improved by writing down these proposals and be sure to take into account.
At the meetings of Directors Jon was not sitting at the head table, and among colleagues. He asked everyone's opinion before expressing your own. And I did not impose it, and offered and always strived to make compromises.
His modesty is evident even in charity. Unlike many other philanthropic Rockefeller did not want to buildings and organizations to assign his name. He preferred to fund projects without raising the noise around it.
4. Desire not only to wealth
Rockefeller since childhood wanted to become rich, and sometimes really guided by greed. But they were driven not only that. He enjoyed work, Including the freedom it gave, and by the challenges. At its first post - an accountant - he worked from morning until late at night, not only to impress the management, but also because he liked it.
Others considered credit and debit books boring and dry, and John - infinitely interesting. He loved to scrutinize the numbers, put them in order, find fault. In any capacity, he found something that can be learned, what could be improved.
But the future billionaire has worked not only for pleasure - he had two great goals. First, he wanted to introduce a new way of doing business. In the oil industry there were many businessmen who want to make a profit immediately. They did not see long-term perspective, Destroyed the economy and the earth in which to look for oil.
Rockefeller also was a completely different view on the future of the industry, based on a desire to create something reliable and long-term.
John D. RockefellerI do not know anything more despicable and pathetic than a man who spends all their time on making money just for money.
The main business of his life he believed the stabilization of the industry, creating jobs and reducing the prices of kerosene, gasoline and then to make them available in large quantities.
Second, what moved Rockefeller when building their empire - is the idea that the more money he earnThe more will be able to give. Mother since childhood encouraged him to leave some change for donations to the church. And this desire to help has grown along with wealth.
In its first year as an accountant with a salary that is barely enough to live on, John donated to charity 6% of revenue. For 20 years he regularly gave more than 10%. Later, he financed large-scale projects: universities, research medical schools, schools for blacks in the South, health campaigns around the world.
5. Attention to details
Rockefeller was always neatly dressed and look nice. He was scrupulously punctual, believing that no one has the right without the need to occupy people's time. He strictly adhered to regulationsHighlighting certain hours to work, family, religion, hobbies, and do not deviate from it even for a second. In financial transactions, he is always on time to pay the debts and commitments. Composing a letter, he did five or six drafts to as closely as possible to express their thoughts.
In matters of accounting businessman zeal knew no bounds. Early in his career he had "learned to respect the numbers and facts, no matter how small they may be." If the account was the smallest error, Rockefeller noticed it. If he underpaid few cents, he demanded to correct the mistake.
Some thought this excessive obsession with trivia, but John knew that even a small adjustment can eventually make a significant contribution.
One its plant he noticed that one sealable jars with kerosene leaves 40 of solder droplets. Expressed the idea dispense 38 drops. As a result, some banks started to flow. Then the master tried to use 39 drops.
In this case, there was no leakage, and plants have switched to a new method of sealing. "One drop of solder in the first year, saved two thousand dollars - later recalled Rockefeller. - However, exports doubled, then quadrupled, and the economy has grown along with it, a drop in the bank, and since then has made many hundreds of thousands of dollars. "
6. Thrift
Rockefeller himself believed that one of the main factors of its success was the decision keep track of all expenses and income. He started this habit in his youth, strictly fixing all amounts in a little red notebook. He kept this notebook to old age as a sacred relic. This tool has taught him the value of every dollar and cent, and thus affected the whole of his life.
"I wore a thin coat and imagine how comfortable I would be when I can afford long thick Ulster - later said Rockefeller. - I wore a dinner in his pocket until he got rich. I practiced self-control and self-denial. "
Even when his condition had grown to an enormous size, he engaged in personal ledgers, correcting the smallest errors. And although now Rockefeller could afford almost any cost, he continued to live quite frugally. He bought and built a large house, but they have always been modest compared with what he could afford.
He kept wrapping paper and twine on the premises, wear costumes as they do not wear out, and put out in the night, all the gas lamps in the house.
Playing a round of golf, John always used the old balls in a particularly insidious traps, because there are often lost. Seeing that others take the new ball, he exclaimed in surprise: "They must be very rich!" On holidays Rockefellers spouses give each other practical gifts like pens and gloves.
To teach three daughters and a son to appreciate what they have, John and his wife tried to hide from them the entire value of his fortune. The children have never visited the factories and offices of his father. Following his example, each led their own book of revenues and expenses.
to earn pocket moneyThey kill flies, pulls weeds, chopped wood, abstained from sweets. Younger wore clothes that remained from the elders. Children are not spoiled a lot of toys and other gifts. For example, when they began to ask bicycles, Rockefeller decided not to buy each one individually, and bought one at all to learn to share.
Such frugality was the vital principle that the businessman wanted to preserve, even when the economy does not remain practical reasons. It helped curb the pride and do not change habits to increase wealth. We remind you that you can not take it for granted that it can disappear, but you can live without it.
To some extent thrift Rockefeller was generally not associated with money. It was a way to train the muscle, which ensured its success and helped him to maintain - self-control.
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