Here Are Handwritten Rules for Success DLJ's Jenrette Bequeathed

(Bloomberg) -- Richard Jenrette, who co-founded the investment bank Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette in 1959, spent four decades on Wall Street. When he died last week from complications of cancer at the age of 89, he left behind on his desk 24 rules to succeed -- in finance, and in life. The list, titled “What I Learned,” was shared Sunday at an intimate memorial service for family and local friends in Charleston, South Carolina. Here's what it said:

What I Learned (How to Succeed)
(and have a Long and Happy Life)

Click here to see the original, handwritten list.

  • Stay in the game. That's often all you need to do – don't quit. Stick around! Don't be a quitter!
  • Don't burn bridges (behind you)
  • Remember – Life has no blessing like a good friend!
    • You can't get enough of them
    • Don't leave old friends behind – you may need them
  • Try to be nice and say “thank you” a lot!
  • Stay informed/KEEP LEARNING!
  • Study -- Stay Educated. Do Your Home Work!! Keep learning!
  • Cultivate friends of all ages – especially younger
  • Run Scared -- over-prepare
  • Be proud -- no Uriah Heep for you! But not conceited. Know your own worth.
  • Plan ahead but be prepared to allow when opportunity presents itself.
  • Turn Problems into Opportunities. Very often it can be done. Problems create opportunities for change -- people willing to consider change when there are problems.
  • Present yourself well. Clean, clean-shaven, dress “classically” to age. Beware style, trends. Look for charm. Good grammar. Don't swear so much -- it's not cute.
  • But be open to change -- don't be stuck in mud. Be willing to consider what's new but don't blindly follow it. USE YOUR HEAD - COMMON SENSE.
  • Have some fun - but not all the time!
  • Be on the side of the Angels. Wear the White Hat.
  • Have a fall-back position. Heir and the spare. Don't leave all your money in one place.
  • Learn a foreign language.
  • Travel a lot -- around the world, if possible.
  • Don't criticize someone in front of others.
  • Don't forget to praise a job well done (but don't praise a poor job)
  • I don't like to lose -- but don't be a poor loser if you do.
  • It helps to have someone to love who loves you (not just sex).
  • Keep your standards high in all you do.
  • Look for the big picture but don't forget the small details.

    • --With assistance from Laurence Arnold

    To contact the reporter on this story: Katia Porzecanski in New York at kporzecansk1@bloomberg.net.

    To contact the editors responsible for this story: Margaret Collins at mcollins45@bloomberg.net, Bob Ivry, Katherine Burton

    ©2018 Bloomberg L.P.

    Share
    Unlock this article for free
    Sign up to access exclusive stories, fewer ads, and a personalised experience.
    Live TV
    Apps
    Social
    Hello Reader
    Sign In / Register
    Set as Trusted Source
    on Google Search
    Add NDTV Profit As Google Preferred Source