Latest news with #Outliers'
Business Mayor
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Warren Buffett doesn't believe in the '10,000-hour rule'—what he suggests you do instead to gain mastery
With an estimated net worth of $160 billion, Warren Buffett could easily be labeled an anomaly. But if you want to be good at investing, too, he says, you can — just know that 10,000 hours of practice won't necessarily get you there. 'I don't believe in that book that talked about spending 10,000 hours at something,' he said at Berkshire Hathaway's 2025 shareholder meeting. 'I could spend 10,000 hours at tap dancing and you'd throw up if you watched me,' he added. That appears to be a reference to Malcolm Gladwell's 2008 book 'Outliers' which helped popularize the idea that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master a talent or subject. CNBC Make It has reached out to Gladwell for comment. In 'Outliers,' Gladwell called 10,000 hours the 'magic number' in terms of the time needed to spend practicing a skill to become an expert. That could go for playing the violin, writing fiction or virtually any other field. The so-called '10,000-hour rule' has been oversimplified, however, Gladwell subsequently pointed out. 'Practice isn't a SUFFICIENT condition for success,' he said in 2014. 'I could play chess for 100 years and I'll never be a grandmaster. The point is simply that natural ability requires a huge investment of time in order to be made manifest.' At the shareholder meeting, Buffett underlined the importance of identifying what skills you already have and what you love doing, and then find people who can teach you to improve. Ideally that means spending time with instructors or mentors, though it may be just as valuable to read what experts in your field have written on the subject. Read More BUSINESS LIVE: Natwest profits hit £1.8bn; Deutsche to buy Numis 'If I spent 10 hours reading Ben Graham, I would be damn smart when I got through,' Buffett said, referring to one of his most impactful mentors. 'Find your own path and you will find the people in schooling that want to talk to you.' 'Look around at what really fascinates you' It may seem financially wise to pursue a career or trade that you're not too interested in because it pays well. But you may be more likely to succeed by pursuing the thing that you're good at and excited about. 'If my ambition had been to become a ventriloquist or whatever it might have been, it wouldn't have worked,' Buffett said at the shareholder meeting. 'I just spent hours and hours and hours on investing.' Lucky for him, the topic he was interested in happened to be a lucrative career path. But he was able to master investing in part because his teachers and mentors were impressed with his curiosity and excited to work with him. 'People that teach, in general, love having a young student who's actually really interested in the subject, and they'll spend extra time with you,' he said. Reflecting on his time at Columbia University, Buffett said his professors treated him 'like a son.' 'I was interested in what they were saying and they found it kind of entertaining that I was so interested, so I would look around at what really fascinates you. I wouldn't try and be somebody else,' he added. Career experts often agree that your interests and natural skills should guide your career decisions more than the potential starting salary. When you choose a college major, for example, it's better to pursue a field of study you're genuinely interested in, not just something you think will help you get paid well. Read More Gambling stocks hit by fears of UK Budget tax grab Doing so can help you be more successful in school — and it may still pay off down the line. 'Your interests may match with a job that can ultimately pay you a really good salary right out of the gate,' Kafui Kouakou, assistant vice president of career development and experiential learning at Quinnipiac University previously told CNBC Make It. 'Some others you may have to start a little bit slow, start to make some money and then over time, it continues to increase and grow from there.' Want a new career that's higher-paying, more flexible or fulfilling? Take CNBC's new online course How to Change Careers and Be Happier at Work . Expert instructors will teach you strategies to network successfully, revamp your resume and confidently transition into your dream career. Start today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $67 (+taxes and fees) through May 13, 2025. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. READ SOURCE
Zawya
06-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Outliers bolsters senior ranks with appointment of Kenzie Falcoz as Operating Partner
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Outliers, the early-stage investment firm backing outlier founders in MENA, today announced the appointment of Kenzie Falcoz as Operating Partner. In her new role, Falcoz will lead Outliers' platform and portfolio support initiatives which are central to the firm's investment strategy. This includes ecosystem-building efforts such as the company's flagship annual event - The Outliers Builders Summit, and the firm's newly launched Fellowship, a program dedicated to identifying and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders in MENA. She will also collaborate closely with the firm's portfolio companies on business development, talent acquisition, and refining media and public relations activities to drive investment returns. Falcoz has been an integral part of the Outliers team since joining as Head of Platform in 2022. During her tenure, she has been instrumental in shaping and expanding how Outliers supports its portfolio companies through proprietary products, network nodes and community initiatives. These efforts have helped elevate the firm's presence, solidify its positioning as partners to its founders, and grow a vibrant community of investors and business leaders. 'It's an honour to take on this new role at such a pivotal time for MENA's thriving tech landscape.' says Kenzie Falcoz, Operating Partner at Outliers. 'The region's growing reputation as a hub for domestic and international investment is fueled by the founders who are building differently. They are the driving force behind the companies set to reshape entire categories, from e-commerce to fintech and digital infrastructure. I'm excited to be part of an operator turned investor team at Outliers - perfectly positioned to support the growing movement towards building bottom-up businesses. It takes more than just capital – it requires true partnership, serving our portfolio on every step of their journey.' Since founding in 2019, Outliers has built a dynamic network of founders in MENA who are shaping the future of their industries. The firm's thesis-driven strategy and commitment to investing with precise conviction has seen Outliers involved in some of the MENA region's most significant tech success stories. Its portfolio includes BNPL firm Tabby, open banking platform Lean, second-hand platform Soum, digital private wealth management firm Vault, and PropTech leader Nawy. The firm's international exposure has also led to several strategic investments in US cybersecurity founders, such as AI-powered cybersecurity pioneer StrikeReady. 'Kenzie combines empathy, community-centric mindset and dedication to founders with a thoughtful, collaborative approach,' says Mohammed Almeshekah, Founder & General Partner at Outliers. 'These qualities have enabled her to consistently deliver exceptional value for Outliers' network of founders and stakeholders. I'm thrilled to see her take on this new leadership role as we continue our mission of backing the next generation of market making entrepreneurs.' Sarah AlSaleh, General Partner at Outliers, adds: 'Kenzie's people-first and hands-on approach has made her an invaluable source of strategic contribution to our founders. Her deep industry knowledge and strong network across the MENA tech landscape is central to our mission of backing category-defining founders. Having Kenzie in this new leadership position reinforces our commitment to supporting our portfolio companies at every step of their growth journey.' -Ends- About Outliers Outliers is an early-stage investment firm backing outlier founders in MENA. We are an operator-led firm, partnering with the entrepreneurs shaping the region's tech and business landscape. We work with founders who build differently, uncovering category-defining opportunities that create outsized outcomes. Press contact media@
