What Warren Buffett Taught Me About Long Term Leadership
Be a long term leader in a short term world
A few years ago, I faced a leadership challenge that tested my instincts. My team was drowning in a sea of disorganized data—sales records, tax returns drafts, and supporting documents scattered across individual laptops. Some files were centralized on platforms like SharePoint, but most were siloed, with no formal process for storage. The pressure to act was intense. We had looming deadlines for tax filings, and the chaos was slowing us down. My gut said to push through, cobble together the data, and meet the deadline. But a quote from Warren Buffett stopped me in my tracks: “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
It hit me—great leaders, like Buffett, don’t just chase quick fixes. They plant seeds for lasting success. I realized that slapping a bandage on our data problem would only delay the inevitable. What if I left the team tomorrow? Or in five years? Would the next leader inherit the same mess? I shifted gears and asked my team a different question: “How can we build a process that centralizes our data for the long haul?”
That question sparked a transformation. We designed a streamlined system to migrate all tax-related documents to a single SharePoint repository. We set clear protocols for saving and organizing files, ensuring that historical data—sales, audits, or compliance reports—was accessible in a few clicks. The result? Tax audits became smoother, internal reporting was faster, and new team members could onboard without digging through outdated laptops or chasing lost files. Turnover, which once risked data loss, no longer threatened our efficiency. By thinking long-term, we didn’t just solve a problem—we built a foundation for sustained success.
Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, isn’t just a master of markets; he’s a master of long-term leadership. His philosophy—rooted in patience, clarity, and trust—offers a blueprint for leading through uncertainty. Buffett’s approach teaches us that true impact comes from decisions that endure, not ones that dazzle in the moment.
This Week’s Leadership Lesson: Play the Long Game
Buffett’s success stems from his obsession with long-term value over short-term noise. He famously avoids trendy investments, sticking to businesses with strong fundamentals that compound over decades. As a leader, this means resisting the urge to micromanage, chase fleeting opportunities, or pivot at every market shift. Instead, focus on what endures: clear goals, strong relationships, and disciplined decisions.
Take Buffett’s leadership at Berkshire Hathaway. He empowers his managers with remarkable autonomy, trusting them to run their businesses without constant oversight. In his annual letters, he emphasizes hiring people who are smarter than him and giving them room to shine. This isn’t just feel-good management—it’s strategic. A 2023 Harvard Business Review study found that teams with high autonomy report 30% greater job satisfaction and deliver stronger results. By aligning on the big picture and stepping back, Buffett fosters loyalty and innovation, ensuring his companies thrive for the long haul.
Contrast this with leaders who prioritize short-term wins—cutting corners to hit quarterly targets or overloading teams for quick results. These moves often backfire, eroding trust and burning out talent. Buffett’s lesson is clear: invest in systems, people, and processes that pay dividends over time, even if the upfront cost feels steep.
In my case, centralizing our data took weeks of planning and execution. It wasn’t glamorous, and it didn’t earn immediate applause. But months later, when an auditor praised our organized records, or when a new hire found a report in minutes, I knew we’d made the right call. Long-term thinking isn’t flashy—it’s foundational.
Your Action Step
This week, identify one decision you’re facing—big or small. It could be a process like my team’s data challenge, a hiring choice, or a strategic pivot. Ask yourself three questions:
“Will this matter in one quarter?”
“Will this matter in two to five years?”
As my father-in-law wisely asks, “Will this matter in fifty years?”
These questions cut through short-term noise and reveal what’s truly at stake. Write down one way you can prioritize long-term impact over immediate pressure. For example, could you invest in training a team member to take on more responsibility? Or streamline a process to save time down the road? Share your insight in the comments or hit reply—I’d love to hear how you’re planting trees for the future.
Let’s Connect
What’s a long-term leadership lesson you’ve learned? Maybe it’s a time you chose patience over speed or built a system that outlasted your role. Drop it in the comments or share this newsletter with a colleague navigating tough choices. If you’re new here, subscribe to get weekly insights to lead with purpose.
Keep leading with purpose,
-Ryan
Here are some additional resources on long term thinking:
Maximizing Your Time
20 Time Management Hacks That Worked For Me
Everyday Is A Chance To Improve Your Time Management Skills: Here Is How
How To Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manuals For Your Business
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