Money Makers: The Will to Succeed (page 2 of 2)

Getting Ahead with Daniel Neal

Are people born inventors?
I do think there's something to that, but even born inventors set off to solve their own problems. It certainly was in my mind as I thought about my family. My wife and I both work, I'm traveling, and my kids are taking music and tae kwon do lessons and playing soccer. How are we all going to keep in touch?

What are the rules you live by?
I like to think that the best way to go through life is with a lot of intellectual humility. That and tolerance. It's about listening to other people's perspectives on problems and needs and being open to them, and being willing to change your point of view. I try not to be dogmatic about what I believe to be true.

Describe the employee who drives you crazy.
He dithers, unable to make a decision. And sometimes I do that myself!

What's the most important thing you've learned in business?
The importance of goodwill, that you build it as you go through your career. It's an accounting term, but I think of it as a catchall description for the kinds of good feelings and trust and people's willingness to give you the benefit of the doubt or give you some help, just because maybe you've helped them in the past. I take very personally all my interactions with people throughout my life.

You're really busy. How do you handle stress?
I'm an introvert, and if you know anything about introverts, we like to crawl off into a cave, so to speak, and recharge our batteries. People at work, however, think I'm an extrovert. I can get in front of a group and talk and show a lot of energy. But to recharge my batteries and handle my stress, I have to get some time to myself, so I'll ride my bike, run or read a book.

What makes a great boss?
They have more experience than their employees, and they're willing to share it. And they're also willing to give them some room to try new things.

How often do you check your BlackBerry?
I don't use a BlackBerry! I use a Kajeet. And it's probably not out of my hand more than five minutes at a stretch.

From Reader's Digest - December 2007

 

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• The Success Story of Panda Express
• Andrew and Peggy Cherng, owners of the wildly successful Panda Express fast-food chain.
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• Former Gang Member Running TD Ameritrade
• Joe Moglia was a winning football coach who opted for an even bigger playing field.
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• Ken Hendricks: From High-School Dropout to Billionaire
• Ken Hendricks dropped out of high school to work for his dad. How, then, did he become a billionaire?
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• Michael Dell: Staying Number One
• Michael Dell built a successful computer business. What will it take to remain on top?
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• Steve Wozniak of Apple Computers: He Had a Hunch
• ...that ordinary people would want their own computer one day. Revolutionary!
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• Gary Heavin of Curves: Fit to Lead
• He's learned from his mistakes. Good thing, 'cause he's made some doozies.
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