An Archive Blog by Bob Sutton

Does Berkshire Hathaway Use The No Asshole Rule?

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I maintain an "honor roll" of organizations that espouse and apply The No Asshole Rule.  I was pointed to this quote in a corner of the web I can't identify from Charlie Munger, who is Warren Buffet's right-hand man and Vice-Chairman of the renowned Berkshire Hathaway.  I found it here, and it is "We had a no-asshole rule very early.  Our basic rule has always been that we won’t deal with assholes."  I would love to add Berkshire Hathaway to my honor roll, but as there is no source given for this quote, I don't know if it is legitimate or not.  If anyone knows the source or has ideas about how to find it, I would be appreciate it.  Thanks.

Also, more generally, I am always looking for more organizations and groups to add to the honor roll, so if you know one — or are part of one — please drop me a note.

P.S. I have started reading The Snowball: Warren Buffett and The Business of Life. I have given up looking for direct evidence of the rule in the book but am enjoying it a great deal — Buffett has had quite a life.