His final shareholder message (from this Thanksgiving), distilled into practical insights from the view point of a mid-career professional (that's me!):
1. Long-Term Grounding Beats Constant Change
Buffett lived and worked most of his life in Omaha, despite starting his career in New York.
“I returned to Omaha, never to wander again.”
He proves success doesn’t require chasing global cities or trendy industries.
For mid-career professionals, this is a reminder: depth in one place or industry compounds faster than surface-level hopping.
2. Luck and Humility Matter More Than You Think
He reflects on being “born healthy, white, male, and in America” as extraordinary luck, not merit.
For those at midlife, this kind of self-awareness encourages gratitude and a sense of responsibility: use your advantages for impact, not ego.
3. Age Is No Excuse for Stagnation
At 95, Buffett still works daily, acknowledging slowing pace but continuous contribution.
The takeaway: you may slow down, but your compounding knowledge gives you exponential leverage.
Mid-career isn’t a plateau: it’s your cue to transition from doing to teaching and shaping.
4. Leadership = Stewardship, Not Spotlight
He warns against CEOs seeking “look-at-me wealth” and stresses alertness to decline, including cognitive.
Great leaders protect institutions from ego, decay, and drift.
5. Don’t Let Mistakes Define You
“Don’t beat yourself up over past mistakes: learn at least a little from them and move on.”
Midlife brings inevitable regrets. Buffett’s approach: course-correct, don’t ruminate.
He’s a case study in compounding through humility, not perfection. If you read The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life" by Alice Schroeder, you will know what I mean.
6. Philanthropy Is a Responsibility, Not a Trophy
Buffett accelerated giving control to his children, trusting them to learn and adapt.
He avoids “ruling from the grave” and focuses on living stewardship.
Lesson: empower others early, at work and home, instead of clinging to control.
7. Character Outlives Performance
He closes with:
“Kindness is costless but also priceless. Whether you are religious or not, it’s hard to beat The Golden Rule as a guide to behavior.”
Your career legacy won’t be deals closed or positions held: it will be the people who choose to keep working with you.
8. Choose Heroes Wisely
He says:
“Get the right heroes and copy them. You can start with Tom Murphy; he was the best.” (he goes on to mention quite a few in the letter)
Mid-career often tempts imitation of status: Buffett suggests imitation of values instead.
Buffett’s final letter reads like a life debrief:
• Play long-term games with long-term people.
• Work where you can be authentic, not performative.
• Acknowledge luck and repay it through stewardship.
• Choose humility over self-promotion.
• And when in doubt: default to kindness.
For more on Leadership
Investment lessons from “Poor” Charlie Munger!
https://www.renjitphilip.com/investment-lessons-from-poor-charlie-munger
References:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/10/markets/warren-buffett-shareholder-letter
