After extensive research into the lives of 100 of the world’s most successful industrialists, I’ve uncovered a set of guiding principles that, when followed, seem to be the key to unlocking success in any field of life. These industrial titans, from Rockefeller to Musk, didn’t just rise to the top by chance—they all followed certain unwritten rules that you can apply to your own journey. Here are the principles they lived by:
1. Relentless Vision:
Every great industrialist started with a vision that was bigger than themselves. They saw possibilities where others saw limits. This unshakable vision was their guiding light, driving them through the toughest challenges. They didn’t just dream; they lived and breathed their goals every day.
Example: Elon Musk
Musk’s vision of creating a multi-planetary species and revolutionizing transportation through Tesla and SpaceX was not just a dream—it was an obsession. He once said, “When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.”
Daily Routine: Musk is known for working up to 100 hours a week when necessary. He meticulously divides his day into five-minute blocks to maximize efficiency and juggles multiple ventures simultaneously.
Hidden Fact: Musk once lived on $1 a day during his early days, just to see if he could survive while building his businesses. This showed his commitment to his vision, regardless of personal discomfort.
2. Execution Over Perfection:
These titans knew that waiting for the perfect moment meant waiting forever. They acted on their ideas swiftly, making adjustments along the way. Perfection wasn’t their pursuit—progress was. Their motto: Start now, improve later.
Example: Jeff Bezos
Bezos built Amazon on the principle of fast execution. His philosophy of “Day 1” embodies the idea of always acting like a startup—taking risks and moving quickly.
Daily Routine: Bezos prioritizes sleep, aiming for eight hours a night to be at his best. His mornings start with simple routines, and he schedules his most important meetings before noon when he’s at peak mental performance.
Hidden Fact: Bezos coined the term “two-pizza teams,” meaning that no team should be so large that it can’t be fed by two pizzas, ensuring agility and fast decision-making within the company.
3. Resilience in the Face of Failure:
Failure was never a dead end for these leaders—it was just a detour. They didn’t shy away from setbacks; they learned from them and used those lessons as stepping stones. For them, resilience wasn’t an option, it was a necessity.
Example: Walt Disney
Disney faced numerous failures, including being fired from a newspaper job for “lacking imagination.” His first animation company went bankrupt, and he was told Mickey Mouse would fail. But Disney’s resilience turned setbacks into triumphs, eventually creating the entertainment empire we know today.
Daily Routine: Disney was known for working long hours, often sketching late into the night. He believed in the power of imagination and pushed his team to innovate constantly.
Hidden Fact: Disneyland was rejected by over 300 bankers before Disney found funding. He mortgaged everything he owned to keep the dream alive.
4. Unyielding Focus:
Success demands focus. These industrialists zeroed in on their goals with laser-like precision. They cut out distractions, learned to say “no,” and prioritized tasks that brought them closer to their vision.
Example: Warren Buffett
Buffett’s focus on value investing and his disciplined approach to business have made him one of the richest men in the world. He attributes his success to saying “no” to almost everything that doesn’t align with his goals.
Daily Routine: Buffett spends about 80% of his day reading. He values learning over doing, allowing him to make better, more informed decisions.
Hidden Fact: Despite his vast wealth, Buffett lives in the same house he bought in 1958. His simplicity and focus on long-term investments rather than material luxuries are key to his sustained success.
5. Innovation as a Habit:
The industrial giants didn’t just follow trends—they created them. Innovation wasn’t a one-time event; it was a habit. They constantly sought out ways to do things better, faster, and more efficiently, disrupting industries and reshaping the world in the process.
Example: Steve Jobs
Jobs revolutionized multiple industries by fostering a culture of innovation at Apple. His constant pursuit of perfection in design and user experience drove Apple’s success.
Daily Routine: Jobs was known for his “walking meetings,” where he discussed ideas while taking long walks. This practice helped him think creatively and innovate continuously.
Hidden Fact: Jobs believed that people should “focus on simplicity” in all aspects of life. He wore the same black turtleneck, jeans, and sneakers daily to minimize decision fatigue, freeing his mind to focus on more important matters.
6. Mastery of Relationships:
No one succeeds alone. These leaders mastered the art of building and nurturing powerful relationships. They surrounded themselves with brilliant minds and learned to inspire loyalty, trust, and respect. Their networks were their greatest assets.
Example: Richard Branson
Branson built the Virgin Group empire by mastering relationships. His approachable leadership style and genuine interest in people helped him attract top talent and forge strong partnerships.
Daily Routine: Branson wakes up at 5 AM to exercise and spend time with family, maintaining balance. He believes in the importance of personal relationships, even in business.
Hidden Fact: Branson attributes much of his success to his dyslexia, which forced him to delegate tasks and focus on the big picture, empowering those around him to lead.
7. Embrace of Risk:
The road to success is paved with calculated risks. The most successful industrialists were bold enough to bet on themselves, even when the odds were against them. They understood that taking risks wasn’t reckless—it was the gateway to greatness.
Example: Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey took major risks throughout her career, from starting her own production company to creating the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Her willingness to bet on herself, despite challenges, has made her one of the most influential women in the world.
Daily Routine: Oprah’s day starts with meditation and exercise. She believes in the power of intention and begins her workday with clear, focused goals.
Hidden Fact: Oprah’s first business venture, a farm stand, failed. But she learned early that failure was part of the path to success, leading her to take even bigger risks in the future.
8. Lifelong Learning:
Curiosity was a defining trait of these industrialists. They never stopped learning, always seeking new knowledge and skills to stay ahead of the curve. They read voraciously, asked questions, and never assumed they knew it all.
Example: Bill Gates
Gates’ dedication to lifelong learning is well-known. He reads about 50 books a year and continuously seeks out new information to expand his knowledge and stay relevant.
Daily Routine: Gates structures his day with a focus on learning. He dedicates hours to reading and thinking, and even takes “Think Weeks” where he isolates himself to dive deep into specific topics.
Hidden Fact: Gates’ curiosity is insatiable—he has spent decades studying global health and poverty, leading to significant philanthropic efforts through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
9. Ethical Leadership:
Integrity was a cornerstone of their empires. They understood that true success isn’t just about making money—it’s about making a difference. These leaders built legacies by balancing ambition with ethics, ensuring their success had a positive impact on the world.
Example: Ratan Tata
Tata, former chairman of Tata Sons, is renowned for his ethical leadership. He built the Tata Group into one of the world’s largest conglomerates while upholding integrity and social responsibility.
Daily Routine: Tata values humility and simplicity, often starting his day with quiet reflection. He believes in leading by example and placing the well-being of employees and society at the forefront of business decisions.
Hidden Fact: Tata famously refused to compromise on quality when launching the Tata Nano, despite pressure to cut costs, staying true to his values of providing affordable yet reliable vehicles for the masses.
10. Endurance and Patience:
The industrialists didn’t achieve overnight success—they played the long game. They understood that enduring success requires patience and long-term thinking. They embraced the grind, knowing that real progress takes time.
Example: Henry Ford
Ford revolutionized the automobile industry with the assembly line, but his success didn’t come overnight. He failed twice before founding Ford Motor Company. His patience and persistence paid off when his vision of affordable cars for the masses became a reality.
Daily Routine: Ford believed in hands-on work and often spent time on the factory floor. He also emphasized the importance of leisure and rest, advocating for shorter workweeks to increase productivity.
Hidden Fact: Ford famously raised his workers’ wages to $5 a day (double the average wage at the time), which not only improved their lives but also created a loyal workforce that contributed to the company’s long-term success.
I found Consistency was a key trait among these successful people, and they maintained it through:
- Daily Habits: Sticking to regular routines and practices.
- Goal Setting and Tracking: Setting clear goals and monitoring progress.
- Quality and Performance: Delivering high-quality work consistently.
- Adaptability: Adjusting strategies based on feedback and new information.
- Resilience: Persisting through challenges and setbacks.
- Building Relationships: Investing in and nurturing strong connections.
- Personal Growth: Continuously improving skills and mindset.
- Time Management: Efficiently using time and staying focused.
Whether it’s building a business, mastering a skill, or achieving a personal goal, the secret lies in showing up every day and doing the work.
Consistency is like planting seeds. At first, you don’t see much happening, but beneath the surface, roots are growing. With time and persistence, those seeds blossom into something meaningful. It’s easy to get discouraged when progress seems slow, but remember that every small effort compounds. Just like a snowball rolling down a hill, your consistent actions grow and gain momentum, leading to the big results you seek.
By adopting these principles, you can align yourself with the same path that the world’s most successful industrialists walked. These aren’t just lessons from the past—they’re the roadmap to your future.