Tips on Success from Successful CEOs

The secret of great people is often conveyed by their words. Businessmen like Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett and Jeff Bezos didn’t get to where they are today without hitting a few speed bumps. So, how can we learn from their mistakes in hopes of becoming the next billionaire? Here are five quotes from CEOs to spark your success.

The common question that gets asked in business is, ‘why?’ That’s a good question, but an equally valid question is, ‘why not?’ – Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon

The act of saying “why not try it” rather than “why try it” can completely change your mentality. Sure, it’s best to ask both, but some people get stuck worrying about what could happen instead of trying something and seeing what happens. This can also be described as the thinking vs. doing mindset. If you have a fixed way of thinking, you could be hindering your personal growth. In order to be successful, sometimes you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone and take risks by asking “why not?”.

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently. – Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

Building your reputation can be one of the most important things you do in your professional life but tearing it down can be done in a matter of minutes. A reputation is a mixture of two things — your actions and what others say about you. Opportunities tend to go to the people with good reputations before they go to people with questionable reputations. A respectable character is valuable and something you always want on your side. A good way to start is by looking at the core values and actions of those you respect the most.

I’m responsible for this company. I stand behind the results. I know the details, and I think the CEO has to be the moral leader of the company … I think high standards are good, but let’s not anybody be confused, it’s about performance with integrity. That’s what you have to do. – Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of General Electric

Moral leadership is a different kind of leadership. Rather than aspiring to be followed, moral leaders aim to serve. They tend to develop others’ skills before their own and are driven by core ideals. A moral leader is not concerned with their role in the organization, but instead relies on their conscience and moral compass to guide every decision. This type of leadership style is driven by core values so don’t underestimate the value of defining those early in your career. Roy E. Disney summed it up best when he said, “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier."

We’re living at a time when attention is the new currency: With hundreds of TV channels, billions of websites, podcasts, radio shows, music downloads and social networking, our attention is more fragmented than ever before. Those who insert themselves into as many channels as possible look set to capture the most value. They’ll be the richest, the most successful, the most connected, capable and influential among us. We’re all publishers now, and the more we publish, the more valuable connections we’ll make. Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Foursquare, Fitbit and the SenseCam give us a simple choice: participate or fade into a lonely obscurity. – Pete Cashmore, CEO of Mashable

We all know that technology and social media have changed the way we do business, but did you know they could make you more successful? Developing your personal brand can be a good starting point for building your foundation. Being a thought leader in your industry can increase your following and enhance your reputation. You can start by creating your own website and becoming more active on social media channels, such as LinkedIn, to gain a large following. Being viewed as an expert in your field or industry can open doors and start conversations that you might not have had otherwise.

Don’t compare yourself with anyone in this world…if you do so, you are insulting yourself. – Bill Gates, CEO of Microsoft

Who do you most frequently compare yourself to? Whether you realize it or not, we compare ourselves every day as we scroll through social media or interact with others in a social setting. Comparing yourself to others often leads to negativity, self-consciousness or doubt. Your unique characteristics, perspectives and skills are what make you a valuable asset. Instead of comparing yourself to others, think about all of the positive contributions you bring to the table.

Even the most admired CEOs have failed. By taking their advice, you can be on the fast track to success. There are many paths to personal growth, but it’s about what you learn from the process that will allow you to become your own version of success. Learning from America’s top CEOs is a good starting point!