John Rogers Offers Career Insights
John Rogers emphasizes the importance of passion, relationships, and reliability in achieving success in both career and life.
“Focus on building a career in fields that genuinely interest you,” said Rogers, who is the founder, co-CEO, and chief investment officer of Ariel Investments. When asked for advice for young individuals, he stressed the value of aligning one’s career with personal interests.
He believes that when people operate within their “circle of ability,” they tend to make “better decisions,” and he is confident about this.
Having established Ariel in 1983 at just 24 years of age, Rogers has transformed it into a $14 billion asset management firm. He also highlighted the significance of nurturing personal networks.
“Keep your connections with intelligent, ethical, and honest individuals alive, as they can greatly benefit your career,” he advised. Rogers often reaches out to skilled investors and old friends for guidance on challenging decisions, both personal and professional.
He noted that while recent acquaintances might not always respond or show genuine interest, the “long-term and clever friends” you trust will offer valuable insights out of goodwill.
On Teamwork and Relationships
As a former captain of the Princeton basketball team, Rogers also underscored the importance of being a reliable teammate. If people know they can depend on you to follow through, then it increases the likelihood of ongoing success and opens doors to more opportunities.
Rogers touched on lessons wealthy parents should impart to their children regarding qualifications and career paths. He noted that children from affluent backgrounds should seek careers distinct from those of their parents. For example, while Rogers chose finance over law, his daughter pursued art and design, a field entirely her own.
“It’s great that she is building her path independently, without relying on my connections,” he mentioned.
Rogers also shared a finance lesson he tries to impart to his daughter: the importance of investing in quality assets, whether in stocks, art, or real estate. Even if bargains are tempting, he believes that over time, quality prevails.
He echoed a popular investment principle from Warren Buffett, learned from his late partner, Charlie Munger, about favoring “great businesses” that have sustainable growth over fleeting, low-quality picks.
At 67, Rogers expresses his passion for his work. “I truly love what I do and look forward to market openings each Monday,” he shared, hoping to continue in this field for several more years.
