Did Warren Buffett Just Fix My Love Life?
- Natalie Gold
- Sep 9
- 4 min read
TikTok’s algorithm is something else. I’m not sure if it’s listening or records what you type, but it “serendipitously” spoon feeds you whatever you need or want to hear.
Anyway, this Warren Buffett post hit me and I needed to share it with you because it is absolute GOLD.
I apply this to relationships, hiring, and just as a general litmus test of whom I allow the privilege of being in my sphere. It continues to blow my mind how often business principles appertain to personal life. Side note- I may be guilty of treating personal relationships like business partnerships, but we can table that convo for another time.
If you want personal relationship stuff- I added it at the end as a bonus.
In a Mar 6, 2024 article with Inc. Magazine Buffett said, “Somebody once said that in looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if you don’t have the first, the other two will kill you. You think about it, it’s true. If you hire somebody without [integrity], you really want them to be dumb and lazy.”
LET THAT SINK IN…
Personally, I have long suffered from being the person who will clock what you are doing and secretly not say something to see how far you will take it. This is in true Sun Tzu fashion of keeping your enemies close. Then, I find a way to ultimately benefit from the situation. Machiavellian, I am aware. My toxic trait is I can stay tight lipped and unemotional about things that could make others commit a crime of passion- but this is truly an advantage in business ownership. Did Warren Buffett Just Fix My Love Life
The Art of War and 48 Laws of Power are my “Bibles”, but screening for integrity lets me leave them on the bookshelf a little longer. Here are a few benefits to prioritizing INTEGRITY.
Why Interview for Integrity? If you’re hesitant about the benefits of evaluating integrity during hiring, consider these points:
Trustworthiness: Integrity reflects honesty and reliability. The right questions can reveal whether a candidate has demonstrated these traits consistently.
Ethical Judgment: Interview questions focused on integrity shed light on how a candidate handles moral dilemmas and whether they can be trusted to make sound choices.
Cultural Alignment: Employees with integrity are more likely to embody the company’s values, reducing internal friction and conflict.
Risk Mitigation: Those lacking integrity can expose organizations to fraud, misconduct, or reputational damage. Asking the right questions helps flag potential risks.
Stronger Teams: Teams built on integrity collaborate more effectively, communicate openly, and stay united around shared goals.
Integrity-Focused Interview QuestioNS Did Warren Buffett Just Fix My Love Life
I never considered Warren Buffett an expert at relation
1. Can you share an example of when you had to choose between doing what was right and doing what was easy?
Look for whether the candidate prioritized ethics over convenience or personal gain.
2. How would you handle discovering that a close colleague was violating company policy?
This tests courage, accountability, and willingness to protect the organization’s integrity even at personal risk.
3. Tell me about a time when you received credit for something you didn’t fully do. How did you handle it?
Candidates with integrity should describe how they redirected credit to the appropriate person.
4. Have you ever felt pressured to act against your values at work? What did you do?
This provides insight into resilience and how well they safeguard principles under pressure.
5. How do you ensure transparency when communicating with teammates, clients, or leadership?
Listen for strategies like sharing accurate data, acknowledging challenges, and encouraging open dialogue.
6. What would you do if a manager asked you to do something you believed was wrong but not technically illegal?
This examines whether they can balance loyalty with ethics and the company’s long-term reputation.
7. How do you balance confidentiality with transparency in your role?
Integrity often requires walking the fine line between protecting sensitive information and maintaining openness.
8. Describe a time when you had to deliver difficult feedback. How did you ensure honesty without damaging trust?
Strong answers show empathy combined with a commitment to truth.
9. What role do personal values play in your decision-making process?
This reveals whether candidates consciously apply their values when making choices.
10. How would you handle discovering an error you made that nobody else had noticed yet?
Trustworthy candidates should emphasize accountability, taking ownership, and correcting the mistake quickly.
hips.
BONUS: Now let’s flip it to dating or personal relationships. This is what I ask:
1. Can you tell me about a time when you had to be completely honest in a relationship, even though it was difficult?
Reveals their willingness to choose truth over comfort. Can they put their “big girl panties” on and tell the truth or are they a weak little baby?
2. How do you handle situations when your values conflict with those of your partner?
Shows their approach to compromise versus staying authentic.
3. Have you ever faced temptation in a relationship, and how did you handle it?
Gives insight into loyalty and accountability.
4. What does commitment mean to you, and how do you show it in a relationship?
Helps uncover whether their definition of commitment aligns with yours.
5. How do you rebuild trust if it’s been broken — either by you or your partner?
Demonstrates emotional maturity and responsibility in repairing relationships.
Someone who consistently demonstrates integrity, both in words and actions, naturally earns respect and carries influence. These are exactly the individuals you want to seek out in interviews, bring onto your team, and eventually elevate into leadership positions.
Some people in life just don’t cut the mustard. CUT. THEM. OUT.
BONUS++
Here is a free link to the assessment we use to screen for integrity.
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