How I Met a Billlionaire and What I Learned | Hacker News Reader

How I Met a Billlionaire and What I Learned

vladmkrtumyan.blogspot.com

4 pointsvladmk8 comments

What I learned from this article was: if you ask vague questions you tend to get vague, boring answers. Even from a billionaire.

For instance, you could have asked things like: What's the craziest business proposal somebody has made to you? What's the biggest business opportunity you missed out on, and why did you take a pass? Did you have a concrete, well-defined goal for success, and if so, what is it/have you met it? Looking back on your career, what would you rather have done differently? Who's the most interesting/famous person you've met, and who would you still like to meet if you could?

You're right, but I didn't care about the lunatics he met with crazy proposals or famous interesting people. I was trying to find out how he became so successful and his philosophies on business. The whole luck vs. skill question for example, I didn't know he'd say luck. I also didn't know he'd give vague answers, but that is a common mistake I'll never make again. Also there was personal stuff, but I figured this is what people would like to hear less about me personally. What else would you like to know? I'll be happy to answer if I can.

I thought your questions were fine and he gave some good advice. Good advice is rarer than rubies. Anyway, I was dying to find out - is it Bruce Lindstrom?

One of the two founders of Costco. :-)

Obviously your 30-minute interview/conversation had an impact on your life that will last a lifetime. That's awesome. Thank you for sharing that memory with us. :)

Much appreciated. Thanks for taking your time to read it, hope it helped you a little bit too. :)

Not to be rude, but it just seemed like a stealth brag post.

Really? It happened a year ago and I figured I'd share it eventually. I met him through my mom, I didn't think it was bragging, kind of uncool imo. I could have said "personal connections", but then I'd be trying to brag...guess you can't please everyone.

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