The documentary “Becoming Warren Buffett” got to my core. It contains rich lessons about life, purpose, and professional growth. While watching it, I caught myself thinking about my parents who taught me many of the same principals Warren Buffett lives by, my clients who I wanted to discuss the insights with, and you two, V and G. Although I’m already sharing some of these life lessons with you daily, I felt compelled to put them in writing. My hope is that when you are out in the world, you will remember these lessons that speak to our family principles.

Focus: Buffett tells us that he and Bill Gates were asked to write down one word that described what helped them the most in their lives and that they both wrote the word FOCUS. Achievement requires focus.

Circle of competence: he explains that you need to “define what your game is. Where you have an edge.” You need to find your circle of competence.

Consistency and simplicity: Buffett shows consistency and simplicity in how he manages his life and business.

Public speaking: He tells us that he was terrified of public speaking and how important it was for him to take the Dale Carnegie public speaking course. It helped him get over his fear and propose to his wife.

Ethics: Buffett was never interested in making money by cheating, and he proved to the world that you can make money with a high ethical standard. He proved that you can simultaneously be a high achieving businessman and a good human being.

Deep work: He reads 5 to 6 hours a day and makes time to think. Buffett’s ability to focus and to get in “the zone” allows him to maximize his analytical abilities.

“Work that is not work”: Buffett works with people he enjoys and gets into his “zone,” so work does not feel like work.

Taking responsibility: The way Buffett managed the Salomon Brothers scandal was a historical example of how you must take responsibility for your mistakes and that you can rebuild trust when you have credibility.

Celebration: His partner, Charlie, tells us “Celebration is part of making a group of people work well together.” We all have to make the time to stop and smell the coffee.

Vulnerability: He was vulnerable about needing to do a better job of understanding human nature and solving human problems.

Generosity: Buffett will always be remembered by his philanthropy. He concluded that the best use of his utilities was to give back to society.

Compound interest: Buffett started working, saving and investing very early in life. He preaches about the powerful concept of compound interest.

Love: He acknowledges that we need others to grow. Buffett speaks about how his wife made him more of a whole person. He talks about the importance of his parents, partners, employees, and investors. He says “it is a very strange thing, love…you can’t get rid of it. The more you give, the more you get. If you try to hang on to it, you lose it.”

V and G: As you explore your life path, my advice to you is to discover what you are good at and find the type of work that “feels like not work.” If you want to achieve, you need to focus; keep it simple and be consistent so you have time for what’s important. Being a good human being is the most essential principle of all. Take responsibility for your mistakes and keep a high ethical standard. Find your voice and don’t be afraid to speak up. Make the time to celebrate the small wins and create special moments – these memories will help you through the tough times. Be vulnerable about areas where you can improve and be a life-learner. Be generous, give back, help someone in need, and always remember to love. There is no shame in asking for help because we need people to grow. Mom and Dad will always love you! Last but not least, start saving and investing early – compound interest works.

Over the past weeks, I’ve engaged with CEOs and have listened to them present powerful ideas.  I witnessed a resounding message emanating from these talks and client meetings. This key leadership message is: It all comes down to People and Purpose.

Keep your Purpose Clear and Simple

At an Executive Roundtable event, Suntrust CEO, Bill Rogers, touched upon on how a company’s purpose and services need to be clear. The mission needs to be uncomplicated, short and sweet, so that it’s easy for employees to remember. “To run a thriving organization, you need to create clarity and purpose”. If people are confused about why they’re there, then it’s harder to keep them engaged.

Focus on Cultivating People

This emphasis of delivering a clear corporate message is equally matched by the focus on People. A CEO of a software startup I spoke with described his company as being in the talent business. “We are fighting for talent every day. Attracting the right people is one of my top priorities. It all starts with that.” All  business leaders know that finding the right people and keeping them motivated is essential to having a thriving organization. Now they are making sure they focus their energy and company resources on that. They are practicing what they preach.

Slow down, Realign and Reconnect

Another Entrepreneur/CEO I’ve engaged with reflected on how he felt his business was expanding too quickly. Concerned that they were losing focus and not communicating well internally, he came to realization that it was time to put people first.  He was shifting his priorities to decelerate other business objectives in order to reconnect with employees, and realign their company’s purpose.

Keep Your People Inspired

This common theme of investing in your company’s people was conveyed yet again during a panel for a Miami Tech event.  Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express, shared: “I see myself as the Chief Energy Officer”. You need to guarantee that people come to work with the right energy to bring results. How can you develop a culture and business process that creates energy? I offer different strategies to this topic in my recent Exploritat post, Creating Energy in your Team.

Making the Circle Tighter/Increasing Your Accessibility

Are you creating the environment in your organization for people to feel engaged? At Facebook, CEO Mark Zuckerberg holds a weekly “All-hands” webcast for top management to engage with all employees. Designed to allow employees to have more visibility and clearer messaging, it also enables upper management to have a direct ear to inspire their people with a renewed sense of purpose and energy and reassert their purpose. Lori Goler, Facebook’s Head of People, explains “It really is a way for people to express what’s on their mind. And for us to hear that.”1

Undeniably, the drums are beating louder and clearer that to be an effective leader in today’s business world, your mantra must embrace Purpose and People. I’ve observed many leaders extolling the need for creating clarity, aligning with the company’s goals, and connecting with people. Be sure to keep these ideas front and center in your mind as you head into every week.

Leticia Hartmann is a Certified Executive Coach who specializes in leadership and career growth. She is the founder of Exploritat.