Travis Kalanick is the Uber founder who is worth about $6 billion. He fascinates us b/c he appears to be extremely arrogant and he seems to pick fights with most everyone – competitors, regulators (big mistake), and fellow investors. He gets away with it b/c of his extreme wealth and power, but I often wonder if it will last, as so many people with a penchant for that much arrogance and contention often crash and burn.
Here is a quick bio of his life:
http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-the-successful-life-of-billionaire-uber-ceo-travis-kalanick-2015-7
In sharp contrast is a gentleman I know who owns a thriving real estate firm in Alameda County. The gentleman seems to be everyone’s best friend, no matter where I go.
B/c of his humble demeanor and innumerable relationships, the gentleman is not only extremely successful but he also seems to thoroughly enjoy going to work every day. In my old age, I now realize how much better it is to be the Alameda Realtor over Travis Kalanick. Both are set for life, but I suspect that the Alameda Realtor is enjoying his life much more.
I bring this up b/c I constantly meet Realtors and loan officers who are every bit as terse and arrogant as Mr. Kalanick seems to be. I have seen many of them burn bridges and eventually fall over the years. And even on the rare occasions when they do not eventually fall, they all seem to be miserable when you get to know them.
The first lesson in business should be how to be sincerely humble and how to maintain friendships; these skills cultivate more long-term success and happiness than any others.
Jay Voorhees
Founder/Broker | JVM Lending
(855) 855-4491 | DRE# 01524255, NMLS# 335646
