8 Strategies for Women from Warren Buffett, the Feminist Capitalist

8) Focus on the future. Buffett is firmly bullish on women in the economy. Last December during a BBC interview, Buffett recalled his sisters. “I saw two human beings with enormous potential and it was just assumed that they could be a nurse, they could be a secretary, they could be a flight attendant … What a waste of human talent.” He added, “Fifty percent of the talent in the country, we’ve pushed off in the corner for almost 200 years. Now we’re getting to the point where we are using 100%. It makes me optimistic but we still have a way to go.” Known as the Oracle of Omaha for his accurate predictions, Buffett firmly predicts that women will save the U.S. economy, and asserts that women’s opportunities are key to his optimism. While panes have been broken in the glass ceiling, it hasn’t come down completely. One day it will. Of the Fortune 500 companies, only 4% are headed by women. But remember this: 28 years ago there were zero.

Whether you want to head a Fortune 500 company, build your own business or grow your portfolio, remember: A woman of genius is admired. A woman of wealth is envied. A woman of power is feared. But only a woman of character can be trusted.

Robert P. Miles teaches the “Genius of Warren Buffett Seminar,” April 29–May 1, at the University of Nebraska Omaha (http://cba.unomaha.edu/execmgmt/buffettgenius), and is director of the 10th Annual Value Investor Conference, May 2–3 (http://www.valueinvestorconference.com/). For more information, visit http://www.robertpmiles.com/