#influence – Candid Communications

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.

Who have been the three most influential people in your life? I bet those people came to mind fairly quickly to you.

Can you name the traits that each of them had that got them into that category in your life?

If you are part of this tribe of readers, who are constantly working to improve yourself (like I am), I want to give a fun challenge: Become an influencer in another person’s life. I’m not talking about the social media influencer. Rather, this is about the good, old-fashioned one-on-one influencer that has a deep effect on another for the better.

Influence is one of the most motivating factors in decision making. When you have a major decision to make, what are the influences that drive you to a final decision?

It’s normal to base any big decisions you make on how it will affect your loved ones. In essence, you could say that those closest to you have a lot of influence on the decisions you make in life.

Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.

So, how do you become influential so you can produce your desired effects on the actions, behaviors and opinions of others? Let’s go through some simple strategies now.

Lead by Example

The best way to influence someone is in your own behavior. This can go both ways – good or bad. If you want to influence someone to be positive and do well, you’ll need to be a living example of the behavior you expect.

In your workplace, be someone that others would want to model. That means you should strive to be on time, work diligently and avoid gossiping about others.

Also, be aware of how you spend your time at work. Are you spending it wisely or are you “milking the clock?” If you expect your co-workers or employees to make the most of their time at work, you should be doing the same.

People are led by example and will likely do whatever others around them are doing. If you’re a leader, then you’re the example they’ll follow. Remember, you can exert influence over others by becoming a positive example to model.

Communication is a Key Factor in Influencing

What you say and how you say it is of utmost importance when influencing others.

If you’re condescending or condemning in your speech, others will see you as haughty, arrogant and egotistical. Most likely, they’ll steer away from you. However, when you’re uplifting, encouraging and genuine, others tend to listen and heed what you say.

One way to speak in an encouraging tone is to use your voice as if you’re at dinner with your in-laws. You most likely wouldn’t be harsh or rude when speaking to them; nor would you speak down to them with a condescending tone. You’d use a calm tone of voice and speak pleasantly.

Think of it as using your “salt and pepper” voice. When you ask someone to pass the salt and pepper, are you rude, demanding or harsh? Not likely. You’re probably soft spoken, with a lilt in your voice, which influences the person to immediately pass the salt and pepper to you.

Be Authoritative, Not an Authoritarian

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should lack confidence when you speak, it simply means you are authoritative and not an authoritarian—that you speak with confidence rather than arrogance.

If you want to be an influence in the workplace, you’ll want to lead by example and speak with an encouraging, yet confident tone. In doing so, becoming a powerful influence can prove to be a beneficial and successful experience.