If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I maintain an "honor roll" of organizations that espouse and apply The No Asshole Rule. I was pointed to this quote in a corner of the web I can't identify from Charlie Munger, who is Warren Buffet's right-hand man and Vice-Chairman of the renowned Berkshire Hathaway. I found it here, and it is "We had a no-asshole rule very early. Our basic rule has always been that we won’t deal with assholes." I would love to add Berkshire Hathaway to my honor roll, but as there is no source given for this quote, I don't know if it is legitimate or not. If anyone knows the source or has ideas about how to find it, I would be appreciate it. Thanks.
Also, more generally, I am always looking for more organizations and groups to add to the honor roll, so if you know one -- or are part of one -- please drop me a note.
P.S. I have started reading The Snowball: Warren Buffett and The Business of Life. I have given up looking for direct evidence of the rule in the book but am enjoying it a great deal -- Buffett has had quite a life.
The Munger quote you refer to is on page 388 of Snowball... the source is cited as "Charlie Munger interview". Don't know if that helps or not.
Posted by: Bill | November 04, 2008 at 02:59 AM
I have lots of respect for Warren Buffett. He is humble and very well grounded, and he doesn't let his wealth go his head. Check Youtube for some of his interviews. He lives a fairly simple life; no yachts or butlers, and he drives himself around in a 2 year old Caddy.
Posted by: Michael Sporer | November 03, 2008 at 01:03 PM
I don't know if Berkshire has a no ass whole rule or not but if they do it does not trickle down to all their companies. That I can state for a fact.
Posted by: Living with an Asshole | November 03, 2008 at 11:57 AM