7 Principles for Teenagers from CEOs of the Fortune 500

Author: Barry
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features:
"I believe that successful people are those who pursue their interests. Nothing can replace energy and passion." — Jacques A. Nasser, CEO of Ford Motor Company, USA
"One quality all CEOs (or successful people) must possess is the resilience to achieve goals that seem too distant and daunting to others." — Richard A. McGinn, Chairman and CEO of Lucent Technologies
"Believe in others. The further you go in life, the more you need help. Create a diverse environment where everyone can contribute their talents." — George C. Fisher, Chairman of the Board of Kodak
In 2000, at the age of 14, Douglas abandoned his childhood dream of becoming an archaeologist and aspired to become the CEO of a major company. But how could he become a successful CEO? Should he raise his GPA from 3.9 to 4.0? Should he join every school club? Should he become the president of the student council? With no idea how to achieve his dream, the young boy wrote letters to 150 CEOs from Fortune Global 500 companies. What happened next surprised even him. Nearly all the CEOs personally replied to this naive teenager, sharing their personal growth experiences with great sincerity. Below are the seven common traits of successful CEOs mentioned in their letters:
Having a Vision: Goals define the future!
Having Passion: Do what you love, and love what you do!
Being Honest: Integrity is the most important thing!
Being Sincere: Respect others!
Having Self-Awareness: Know your weaknesses!
Being Curious: Learn more by seeing, listening, and exploring!
Having a Broad Mindset: Work isn’t just for salary!
Under the guidance of these business leaders—CEOs from General Electric, Ford Motor Company, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods, Colgate-Palmolive, and Pfizer—Douglas gradually overcame his confusion about the future. In 2004, after carefully compiling these valuable letters, he handed them over to a publishing company, which became The 7 Principles for Teenagers from Fortune Global 500 CEOs. Filled with inspiring stories, profound quotes, and astonishing life experiences, this book is an indispensable read for young people. It is also a must-read for parents, teachers, and any adult who can influence teenagers.