Warren Buffett's top recommended book is The Outsiders by William N. Thorndike Jr. It is a thorough examination of 8 CEO's throughout history who outperformed their peers, as well as the unique philosophies they each implemented that contributed to their massive success. 


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Warren Buffett's top recommended book is The Outsiders by William N. Thorndike Jr. It is a thorough examination of 8 CEO's throughout history who outperformed their peers, as well as the unique philosophies they each implemented that contributed to their massive success.

Tom Murphy &amp; Capital Cities Broadcasting: Murphy spent the majority of his time focusing on acquisitions. He led the largest deals in broadcast history 3 times and the largest newspaper acquisitions. He took huge risks, bought major companies like ABC and produced 22.4% returns.

Tom Murphy & Capital Cities Broadcasting: Murphy spent the majority of his time focusing on acquisitions. He led the largest deals in broadcast history 3 times and the largest newspaper acquisitions. He took huge risks, bought major companies like ABC and produced 22.4% returns.


Henry Singleton &amp; Teledyne: What made Singleton stand out was his aggressive stock buy-back strategy. He made huge, infrequent stock buy backs timed with lock stock prices. He did this 8 or more times, and produced a ten year compound return of over 40%.

Henry Singleton & Teledyne: What made Singleton stand out was his aggressive stock buy-back strategy. He made huge, infrequent stock buy backs timed with lock stock prices. He did this 8 or more times, and produced a ten year compound return of over 40%. 


Bill Anders &amp; General Dynamics: During the era of acquisitions, Anders was a radical seller. He made zero acquisitions, spent little, but devoted substantial resources to allocating human and capital resources - decentralizing the org and aligning with shareholders' interests.

Bill Anders & General Dynamics: During the era of acquisitions, Anders was a radical seller. He made zero acquisitions, spent little, but devoted substantial resources to allocating human and capital resources - decentralizing the org and aligning with shareholders' interests.


John Malone &amp; TCI: Malone's claim to fame is negotiating the $11 billion deal when his company Teleport was acquired by AT&amp;T - a 28x return on investment. A key differentiator was Malone's tax minimization strategies. He met monthly with an internal tax team to optimize.

John Malone & TCI: Malone's claim to fame is negotiating the $11 billion deal when his company Teleport was acquired by AT&T - a 28x return on investment. A key differentiator was Malone's tax minimization strategies. He met monthly with an internal tax team to optimize.


Katharine Graham &amp; The Washington Post: Katharine Graham was one of the only newspaper executives aggressively repurchasing shares, even with the resistance of her board. WPO repurchased 38.5% and produced returns to shareholders of almost 40%.

Katharine Graham & The Washington Post: Katharine Graham was one of the only newspaper executives aggressively repurchasing shares, even with the resistance of her board. WPO repurchased 38.5% and produced returns to shareholders of almost 40%.  


Bill Stiritz &amp; Ralston Purina: Stiritz is described as one whose heresy became orthodoxy. His strategy was to divest noncore assets, repurchase shares and acquire complementary product lines. He aggressively negotiated a multibillion deal when his company was acquired by Nestle.

Bill Stiritz & Ralston Purina: Stiritz is described as one whose heresy became orthodoxy. His strategy was to divest noncore assets, repurchase shares and acquire complementary product lines. He aggressively negotiated a multibillion deal when his company was acquired by Nestle.


Dick Smith &amp; General Cinema: Smith was all about aggressively negotiating major sales of his businesses. He was responsible for record-setting sales 3 times when he sold a beverage group in 2989, HBJ publishing in 2003 and the Neiman Marcus Group in 2006.

Dick Smith & General Cinema: Smith was all about aggressively negotiating major sales of his businesses. He was responsible for record-setting sales 3 times when he sold a beverage group in 2989, HBJ publishing in 2003 and the Neiman Marcus Group in 2006. 


Warren Buffet &amp; Berkshire Hathaway: Buffet's radical approach focused on declining revenue (by refusing insurance underwriting business) when prices were low, but accepting huge amounts of business when prices were high. This took the company from $102mil to $6.9bil in 21 years.

Warren Buffet & Berkshire Hathaway: Buffet's radical approach focused on declining revenue (by refusing insurance underwriting business) when prices were low, but accepting huge amounts of business when prices were high. This took the company from $102mil to $6.9bil in 21 years.


The Outsiders is a welcome read to anyone who breaks convention, is unafraid to stand out, and is willing to take big risks for big rewards. If you enjoyed this Memo, you'll also love: <div contenteditable="false" class="memo-link-card"><memo-link-card memoid="272" displayname="ScienceofSelfCare" title="Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers proves world-class skills are just 10,000 hours away" slug="malcolm-gladwell-s-outliers-proves-world-class-ski" data-cover-image="https://cdn.memod.com/images/29.jpg" data-cover-orientation="portrait" coverimage="https://cdn.memod.com/images/29.jpg" coverorientation="portrait"></memo-link-card></div>

The Outsiders is a welcome read to anyone who breaks convention, is unafraid to stand out, and is willing to take big risks for big rewards.



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8 CEO's Radical Investment Philosophies That Paid BIG

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