Posted in: WWE Vince McMahon Shares His Secrets Of Success, His Philosophy & More
By Andy Steven
Jul 20, 2012 - 7:47:47 PM
Vince McMahon recently spoke with Bloomberg Businessweek about the "managerial secrets" of his success. Here are some highlights:
"You can't say, 'Go do so-and-so,' unless you're willing to do it. You can't ask someone to put in a zillion hours unless you're willing to go do it. You can't ask anyone to have a passion for a product unless you have it. Listening is a lost art. I have a unique ability to listen to myself as I’m talking. That’s somewhat unique, but I think that to listen is to learn."
"Certainly the best way to fail in management [is to be distant and imperious]. You shut people down. If you have all the answers, why is anyone around you? If your ego is so big, then there's no room for anyone else's. The fear stuff—that is so rotten. You have to earn everyone's respect. I have to do it every day. Sometimes I leave the office and I feel great. In military terms, I’ve got 'scrambled eggs on my cap.' I’ve got medals dripping off my chest. When I wake up in the morning, they're all gone. You have to earn everyone's respect in business every day."
"I average about four hours of sleep. I don't like to sleep. I'm missing something when I'm sleeping. From a personal standpoint, I'm aggressive by nature and I'm truculent by nature. So I need to have a socially acceptable outlet for that. That would be bodybuilding. I enjoy that. It's a challenge to be stronger."
"My first question is: Why do you want to work with WWE? They don't have to know WWE, by the way. They don't have to be fans. Sometimes that gets in the way. If they give me a boilerplate answer, I look at them and I say, 'That's a boilerplate answer. It's not what I'm looking for.' I'm very straightforward and very honest with people. That's what I want back. Don’t tell how to make the watch—tell me what time it is. Be honest. It cuts through a lot of crap. People know where they stand. They know where you stand. Life becomes a lot easier."
