What I learned from Rockefeller that's off-the-hook important is: You need to know exactly where you stand in a business at all times. Measure everything, because everything that is measured and watched improves.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I think there's a lot to learn from Rockefeller on how to pass legislation.
In business, the idea of measuring what you are doing, picking the measurements that count like customer satisfaction and performance... you thrive on that.
Rockefeller once explained the secret of success. 'Get up early, work late - and strike oil.'
Rockefeller viewed his philanthropy through the lens of his business, and it really mirrored the Industrial Revolution. It was highly centralized, it was top down, it was based on experts, and it was big-picture.
How can you be on top of the things you do? I think when you are involved in a business, first of all you need to know the business. After that you know the business, you can - the numbers tell you what is happening. You can read with the numbers.
I definitely think it's important for a CEO of any large corporation to understand how policy impacts their business and be aware of the decisions being made in Congress.
There are many things that you can't measure. But the great fun of what I do for a living is figuring out ways to measure things that people previously considered intangible.
It is important to remember that all business has an impact on the lives of real people.
The tendency in lots of large organizations is to try and find a comfortable place where you think you can get measured rewards for measured work.
I don't think individual achievement in business is the most meaningful way for it to operate.