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Warren Buffett's Favorite Management Advice: You Can Always Tell Someone to Go to Hell Tomorrow

By Warren Buffett · Investing · 2 min read

Tom Murphy told me: you can always tell somebody to go to hell tomorrow. Just think of how much trouble that keeps you out of — because you haven't lost the option. Don't feel that you've only got 15 seconds to say it.

Key Points

Tom Murphy was the best business manager Buffett ever met — brought out the best in everybody without grinding people to death
You can always tell someone to go to hell tomorrow — you haven't lost the option, so don't rush
It's very human to want to tell someone off — but when has it ever produced a real gain?

You can always tell somebody to go to hell tomorrow. Just think of how much trouble that keeps you out of — because you haven't lost the option.

The Best Business Manager I've Ever Met

Buffett: Tom Murphy was probably the best business manager I've ever run into. He didn't do it by whipping people to death for eight hours or turning it into 12-hour days. He brought out the best in everybody. But he wasn't a Pollyanna.

If you'd done nothing but study him, you wouldn't have had to study anybody else.

He brought out the best in everybody. But he wasn't a Pollyanna. Study him and you didn't need anyone else.

You Can Always Tell Them Tomorrow

Buffett: The first time I had lunch with him, I was about 40. He told me: you can always tell somebody to go to hell tomorrow. Just think of how much trouble that keeps you out of — because you haven't lost the option. So don't feel that you've only got 15 seconds to say it, or 30 seconds.

You can always tell them to go to hell tomorrow. You haven't lost the option. Don't feel you've got 15 seconds.

I Watched It Work

Buffett: I certainly told people to go to hell more before I heard that advice. It's not something you could shake immediately. But I watched it work with Tom Murphy. I don't know anybody that had more good interactions — whether it was buying businesses, operating businesses, dealing with any person's problems that came to him. It was built into his behavior in every way.

I don't know anybody who had more good interactions. It was built into his behavior in every way.

There Are Letters I Never Wrote

Buffett: There are a few letters or things I haven't written because I remember that advice. It's very human to want to tell somebody to go to hell. It can be really satisfying. But when have you ever gained from it?

You may have felt a little bit better for a moment. But do it with a mirror or something. You're going to have a lot of satisfaction the next day if you just keep it to yourself.

It's satisfying. But when have you ever gained from it? Do it with a mirror. You'll be glad tomorrow.