With the news that Warren Buffett will retire as CEO in 2025, it’s truly the end of an era. For decades, the man known as the Oracle of Omaha has been a steady, wise and wildly successful presence in the business world. His presence has influenced my financial advisors, who have influenced me. His exit may close a chapter at Berkshire Hathaway, but his words—and values—will echo long after he’s gone.
Among the many nuggets of wisdom Mr. Buffett has shared over the years, one quote in particular that I like:
“We look for three things when we hire people: intelligence, energy, and integrity. And if they don’t have the last one, don’t even bother.”
That one sentence might just be the best leadership advice out there. I’ve hired over 120 professionals and seen that intelligence helps people solve problems. Energy gets things done. (I’d rather have an employee with more energy than less because trying to pump their energy up every day is exhausting.) But without integrity? Yeah, everything else falls apart—in a hurry.
Why Integrity Isn’t Optional
Buffett didn’t just talk about integrity. From my view, he built a company culture around it. He understood that brains and hustle alone aren’t enough. Without a moral backbone, even the most talented person can do real damage.
I’ve seen companies packed with smart, driven people. But a lack of integrity turned all that potential into disaster. Sometimes companies collapse under the weight of their own deceit, dragging down employees, investors and public trust along with it.
On the flip side, look at Microsoft under Satya Nadella. When he took the reins in 2014, Nadella didn’t just bring new ideas—he brought a new tone. He emphasized empathy, a growth mindset, accountability, trust and more. The result? A transformed culture and one of the most impressive corporate turnarounds in recent memory. That’s what integrity in leadership looks like.
The Real Power of Integrity
So why does integrity matter so much? For starters, leaders set the tone. When the person at the top is honest, fair and grounded, that mindset ripples through the whole organization. People feel respected. They feel safe to speak up. They trust each other—and the company. At Richter7 advertising, we wanted associates to feel safe about sharing ideas, even if they disagreed with their bosses. (I knew we were getting to that level when I saw an intern disagree with our chairman in a client strategy meeting, and the chairman considered the new information and agreed with the intern. It was a huge endorsement to let others be seen and heard.)
Trust, in business, is everything. It keeps employees and customers loyal. It strengthens partnerships. It protects your brand when the unexpected hits. For example, companies like Patagonia didn’t just earn its reputation by being smart; they earned them by doing what’s right—even when it was hard.
Finally, integrity leads to long-term thinking. Buffett has always played the long game. He’s said more than once that success isn’t about what happens this quarter, but what you build over decades. That reminded me of my years in Japan where I saw leaders were more interested in the long game. Leaders with integrity resist the lure of shortcuts. They stay focused on the big picture.
Putting Buffett’s Wisdom to Work Today
So how do we actually apply Mr. Buffett’s hiring advice today? I’ve seen three ways to make integrity a real part of my company’s DNA:
1. Talk About Values from the Start
Job descriptions shouldn’t just list skills—they should reflect company values. Make it clear that you value honesty, integrity and accountability just as much as results.
2. Ask the Right Interview Questions
Get beyond the résumé. Ask candidates how they handled ethical dilemmas. What did they do when the right thing wasn’t the easy thing? Their body language and verbal answers will tell you more than any GPA or job title ever could.
3. Walk the Talk
I’ve learned that each company follows the lead of a central persona, which is normally flows from the CEO. If you want to build a team with integrity, model it yourself. Make values-based decisions. Own your mistakes. Be accountable. Celebrate people who do the right thing, not just those who hit their numbers.
A Call to the Next Generation
In my 40-plus years in a career, I’ve seen that today’s business world is more complicated than ever with my clients dealing with everything from remote work to climate change to questions of diversity and inclusion. Through it all, one thing hasn’t changed: the need for leaders and employees with integrity who are honest, courageous and grounded in something deeper than just fame or ambition.
Warren Buffett may be stepping away, but his philosophy still matters. In fact, it might matter more than before. His message is clear: hire smart, hire driven—but above all, hire people you can trust.
Because in a world where trust is rare and reputations are fragile, integrity isn’t just a leadership trait—it’s your best insurance policy.