#352 J. Paul Getty: The Richest Private Citizen in America

In a comprehensive exploration of J. Paul Getty's autobiography, "As I See It," the episode delves into Getty's final reflections on his life as the world's wealthiest private citizen. Getty's narrative reveals his dedication to entrepreneurship, the value of hard work instilled by his father, and the importance of building and maintaining strategic relationships. Despite his vast wealth, Getty's personal life was marked by tragedy, including the death of his son George, which left him questioning his role in the immense pressure his son faced. The episode also highlights Getty's strategic business moves, such as his expansion into the Middle East's oil-rich Neutral Zone, and his unique approach to creating a global enterprise. Crucially, Getty's story underscores the significance of seizing opportunities, the relentless pursuit of challenges, and the complex interplay between professional success and personal sacrifice.

• J. Paul Getty prioritized building relationships with other top entrepreneurs and business people.
• He established a liaison center to foster these connections.
• Getty was dedicated to sharing the lessons from his six-decade career with future entrepreneurs.
• He valued the influence of his father, George Getty, and credits his father's love and training for his success.
• Getty's father switched careers from being an attorney to founding an oil company during the Oklahoma oil boom in 1903.
• George Getty's initial success in the oil industry was remarkable, with 42 out of 43 wells producing oil.
• J. Paul Getty started working in the oil fields at 15, learning the industry from the ground up.
• Getty's father instilled in him the values of self-reliance, hard work, and the adventure of oil exploration.
• George Getty was a strict disciplinarian and believed in the importance of developing character and work ethic.
• J. Paul Getty retired at 24 after becoming a millionaire but soon unretired due to dissatisfaction with a life of leisure.
• He emphasizes the importance of encouragement from seasoned professionals in the industry.
• Getty acknowledges his father's role in setting him up for success but also recognizes his own efforts in expanding the family business.

"Without the love and training of my father, I would not be the man I became."

This quote emphasizes the crucial role J. Paul Getty's father played in shaping his character and business acumen.

"My seat was set for me."

Getty acknowledges the advantages he had due to his father's established position in the oil industry.

"Vice President Nelson Rockefeller did me the honor of saying that my entrepreneurial success in the oil business put me on par with his grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, Sr."

Getty humbly distances himself from comparisons to John D. Rockefeller, acknowledging his own privileged start.

• Getty was a workaholic and often worked 12 to 14-hour days.
• He was heavily involved in the details of his business, akin to a micromanager.
• He believed that knowing your business from A to Z was crucial to solving any problem.
• Getty was an autocrat, insisting on control and that things be done his way.
• He understood the power of relationships in business and went out of his way to build them with influential individuals.
• Even at the age of 83, Getty was still actively involved in the oil industry and enjoyed the challenges it presented.
• He was motivated not by money but by the engagement and fulfillment he found in entrepreneurship.
• Getty was a lifelong learner, consistently reading and expanding his knowledge.

"Twelve-hour workdays are common, and many stretch to 14 hours or more."

Getty describes his rigorous work schedule, highlighting his dedication to his business ventures.

"I am still an oil man. I am a wildcatting operator at heart."

This quote reflects Getty's passion for the oil industry and his identity as an entrepreneur.

"The love, respect, and admiration I had and still have for my father were boundless."

Getty expresses his enduring affection and respect for his father, showing the deep impact his father had on his life and career.

• Getty believed that prosperity cannot be achieved by discouraging thrift or by pulling down the wage payer.
• He held that one could not build character and courage by taking away initiative.
• Getty accepted these tenets wholeheartedly, quoting Abraham Lincoln to support his beliefs.
• He retired at 24 but found that leisure and pleasure did not bring happiness.
• Getty's return to the oil business was driven by a desire to be part of the action and challenge of the industry.
• He viewed his work as a hunt and relished the triumph of discovering oil.
• Getty's experience illustrates the importance of purpose and challenge in one's life.

"You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer."

Getty quotes Abraham Lincoln to express his views on the importance of personal initiative and the counterproductive nature of hindering economic contributors.

"I unretired."

This succinct statement captures Getty's realization that retirement and a life of pleasure were not fulfilling for him.

"Words cannot adequately describe the elation and triumph that one experiences when he brings in his first producing well."

Getty conveys the deep sense of accomplishment and joy he felt in his work, which was a driving force in his life.

• Getty transferred to Oxford, which ignited his lifelong love for self-directed learning.
• He believed that learning should not be passive ("to be taught") but active ("to learn").
• Lifelong learning is intrinsically self-directed and cannot function otherwise.
• Getty applied a fierce work ethic not only to his business but also to his personal education.
• Whenever Getty encountered something he didn't understand, he would read extensively about it.

"He said, before he was being taught, and he's like, the key is not to be taught, it's to learn."

• The quote emphasizes the distinction Getty made between passive and active learning, highlighting the importance of self-direction in the learning process.

• Getty worked until the day he died, exemplifying his dedication.
• Despite managing a large empire, Getty was involved in the minutiae of his business.
• His tendency to micromanage is likened to other great founders like Walt Disney and Steve Jobs.
• Getty's cousin June noted that he shared a common trait with FDR: being easy to get along with, provided things were done his way.

"I have been an active businessman for more than 60 years. I still mind the store. My hand is never far from the throttle."

• This quote reflects Getty's lifelong commitment to his work and his hands-on approach to business management.

• Getty acknowledges his autocratic nature, which he saw as necessary for maintaining control and ensuring things were done his way.
• He quotes Harry Truman's famous desk sign "The buck stops here" to illustrate his philosophy of extreme ownership.
• Getty's leadership involved direct, final responsibility, which he believed freed him from feeling beholden or indebted.

"The buck stops here when the man in charge, it could be a candy factory, a drilling operation, or the nation's government, accepts direct, final responsibility."

• This quote highlights Getty's belief in the importance of taking full responsibility for one's actions and decisions in leadership.

• Getty prided himself on being a working boss, respected by oil field workers for his hands-on knowledge and involvement.
• His early exposure to the oil fields through his father laid the foundation for his later credibility with workers.
• Getty's approach to leadership in the oil industry was to be on-site and directly involved.

"An oil man who was a working boss, and that's what he considered himself, a working boss, enjoyed a distinct advantage."

• The quote underscores Getty's belief in the value of being a working boss who earns the respect of his employees through direct involvement and expertise.

• Getty was critical of excessive spending and advocated for reinvestment in one's business.
• He maintained a "fortress of cash" and advised using debt sparingly.
• Getty compared his frugal lifestyle and reinvestment habits favorably against those of William Randolph Hearst.

"I like to keep a lot of financial fat under my belt. There's nothing that can ever take the place of cash."

• This quote illustrates Getty's philosophy on maintaining financial security and the importance of having cash reserves in business.

• Getty admired entrepreneurs who were devoted to building productive enterprises and reinvesting in their businesses.
• He highlighted the importance of being personally involved and knowledgeable about every aspect of one's business.
• Getty praised Aristotle Onassis for embodying these entrepreneurial traits.

"It is the mark of the entrepreneur that he reinvests in his business, and he is always personally involved."

• The quote encapsulates Getty's view of essential entrepreneurial traits, emphasizing personal investment and involvement in one's business.

• Getty acknowledged his failures in personal relationships, particularly his marriages.
• He was often preoccupied with business, leading to neglect in his personal life.
• Getty expressed envy towards those who could make marriages work, considering it an art he could not master.

"Whatever my other flaws and weaknesses, I have never been given to envy, save for the envy I feel towards people who have the ability to make marriage work and endure happily."

• This quote reveals Getty's introspection and recognition of his inability to balance his professional success with personal relationships.

• Getty believed in buying when prices were low and advocated for expansion during economic downturns.
• He sought to vertically integrate by acquiring companies with undervalued assets, such as Tidewater Associated Oil Company.
• Getty's strategy was contrarian, going against the cautious advice of his advisers during the Great Depression.

"I was convinced of eventual economic recovery, and I firmly believed in the business dictum that you should buy when prices are low."

• The quote demonstrates Getty's strategic thinking and his willingness to take bold actions based on his convictions, even in challenging economic times.

• J. Paul Getty was initially unaware that the Rockefeller family was involved with Tidewater, a major oil company.
• Once committed, Getty couldn't withdraw despite the Rockefellers being a formidable competitor.
• Getty's persistence led to a strategic opportunity when some Tidewater owners didn't want to be taken over by him.

"Had I known this originally, I would never have begun buying tidewater shares for a pygmy independent operator such as I was, could hardly stand a chance against one of the world's largest and most powerful major oil companies."

• The quote highlights Getty's initial underestimation of the competition and his commitment to the acquisition despite the odds.

• Getty was informed by Jay Hopkins about the Rockefeller's plan to disperse Tidewater holdings via Mission Corporation to prevent Getty's control.
• John D. Rockefeller Jr. was selling his shares in Mission Corporation, which Getty saw as an opportunity.
• Getty capitalized on the situation by purchasing Rockefeller's shares, leveraging his inability to be contacted by others.

"Armed with John D. Junior's assignment of rights, I approached the other Jersey standard stockholders with predictable results."

• This quote shows how Getty used Rockefeller Jr.'s decision to influence other stockholders and advance his own position.

• Getty secured oil rights in the Neutral Zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, a pivotal moment in his career.
• Significant investment and organizational restructuring were required to exploit these oil reserves.
• Getty's determination and strategic investments transformed his company into a global enterprise.

"Four years and tens of millions of dollars were spent before a drop of oil was brought to the surface. But by 1954, it was evident that the neutral zone had immense oil reserves."

• This quote emphasizes the substantial investment and risk Getty undertook before reaping the rewards of the Neutral Zone oil reserves.

• Getty reflects on a missed opportunity in 1932 to obtain an Iraqi oil concession due to a crash in crude oil prices.
• His reluctance to expand into the Middle East during a financial panic led to a significant loss of potential revenue.
• Getty later recognized the importance of seizing opportunities, even in challenging times.

"I was reluctant to expand into the Middle East under these conditions and ordered my agents to break off the concession negotiations."

• The quote reveals Getty's initial hesitancy to invest during a market downturn, which he later viewed as a mistake.

• Getty's deal for the Neutral Zone was criticized as too expensive, but it proved to be immensely profitable.
• He had to meet extensive financial and operational demands from the Saudi Arabian government.
• Getty's willingness to invest heavily in a great business opportunity led to his immense wealth.

"He had to pay the Saudi Arabian government an immediate cash of $10.5 million... [and] a 55% per barrel royalty on all oil produced."

• This quote details the steep upfront costs and ongoing financial commitments Getty agreed to in the Neutral Zone deal.

• Getty faced personal tragedies, including the death of his son George, possibly from the pressure to live up to his family's legacy.
• Getty questioned whether his own expectations and the business pressures he placed on George contributed to his death.
• The burden of being a successful businessman's son is contrasted with Randolph Churchill's experiences.

"One question will continue to gnaw at me to the end of my own days... did I cause the pressure that killed my son?"

• Getty's introspection about his son's death shows the emotional toll of his family's expectations and the potential consequences of his ambition.

• Getty cultivated relationships with influential figures worldwide, including U.S. presidents and European and Middle Eastern leaders.
• He established Sutton Place as a liaison center for executives and businessmen to network and develop informal business relationships.
• His friendship with Aristotle Onassis helped negotiate favorable tanker transportation terms for Saudi oil.

"Our conversation ended successfully and with a handshake, which, for Ari, constituted an ironclad agreement as can be gathered."

• This quote illustrates the importance Getty placed on personal relationships and trust in business dealings.

• Getty did not aim to be the world's richest man but was motivated by the challenge of the oil industry and the legacy of his father's business.
• He viewed his work as a competitive game, always striving to meet the challenges presented to him.
• Getty's reflections reveal his drive and determination to succeed, not solely for wealth but for the thrill of the challenge and honoring his father's memory.

"I harbored no desire to be the world's richest man... It may well be that I will learn something from it myself."

• Getty's quote reflects on his journey and motivations, indicating that his pursuit of wealth was also a pursuit of personal growth and understanding.

• Small companies rely heavily on the quality of their employees more than large companies.
• Having a significant portion of non-A-players can be detrimental to a small company's success.

"Why would you start a company where 30% of your people are not so great? A small company depends on great people much more than a big company does."

• Explanation: Emphasizes that in a startup or small business, every employee's impact is magnified, making it crucial to hire top talent.

• The speaker has read numerous biographies of entrepreneurs and stored notes and highlights in the Readwise app.
• This extensive collection of notes allows for efficient searching and referencing when considering hiring strategies.

"I've read 300 something biographies of entrepreneurs now, but I have all of my notes and highlights stored in my readwise app."

• Explanation: Highlights the speaker's methodical approach to learning from successful entrepreneurs and the systematic organization of this knowledge for future reference.

• Steve Jobs and David Ogilvy both advocated for hiring individuals based on their previous excellent work.
• Ogilvy would personally reach out to talented individuals, leveraging his reputation to attract them without immediately offering a job.

"The great way to hire is just find great work and find the people that did that and then try to hire them."

• Explanation: Describes Steve Jobs' approach to hiring by identifying and recruiting individuals with a proven track record of success.

• John D. Rockefeller valued social skills in hires, believing the ability to deal with people was worth paying for.
• Rockefeller would also hire talented individuals as he found them, not just when a position was open.

"The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as sugar or coffee. And I pay more for that ability than any other under the sun."

• Explanation: Rockefeller's quote underscores the importance he placed on interpersonal skills in his hiring decisions.

• Vannevar Bush used a unique interview technique where he discussed a genuine technical problem with the candidate.
• Nolan Bushnell asked about reading habits to gauge creativity, believing that passionate and curious individuals tend to read.

"An interview of that sort is always likely to be on an artificial basis and somewhat embarrassing. So I discussed with him a technical point on which I was then genuinely puzzled."

• Explanation: Vannevar Bush's approach to interviews was designed to create a more authentic and revealing interaction with the candidate.

• Founders like Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, and Jeff Bezos emphasized the need to hire individuals who could raise the company's talent bar.
• Ogilvy's philosophy, shared by Buffett, was to hire people larger than oneself to become a company of giants.

"If each of us hires people who are smaller than we are, we should become a company of dwarfs. But if each of us hires people who are bigger than we are, we shall become a company of giants."

• Explanation: David Ogilvy's quote, endorsed by Buffett, encapsulates the strategy of hiring exceptional talent to elevate the entire organization.

• PayPal co-founder Max Levchin insisted on keeping the hiring bar high, even if it slowed down the staffing process.
• Levchin's motto was that "A-players hire A-players; B-players hire C-players," emphasizing the importance of not compromising on talent.

"A's hire A's, B's hire C's. So the first B you hire takes the whole company down."

• Explanation: Max Levchin's quote stresses the critical nature of maintaining high hiring standards to prevent a decline in company performance.

• Izzy Sharp, founder of Four Seasons, and Cesar Ritz used hiring as a strategy to increase brand recognition and distribution.
• Partnering with renowned individuals can attract customers and enhance the company's reputation.

"Hiring the right person could actually be a form of distribution for his hotel."

• Explanation: The quote illustrates how strategic hiring can extend beyond filling a role, serving as a means to promote and distribute the company's brand.

• Elon Musk demonstrated problem-solving in recruitment by addressing personal obstacles that candidates faced.
• Musk's proactive approach showcased his commitment to securing top talent for SpaceX.

"Musk told the guy that he wants to hire. So I heard you don't want to move to LA, and one of the reasons is that your wife works for Google. Well, I just talked to Larry, and they're going to transfer your wife down to LA."

• Explanation: Elon Musk's anecdote reveals his willingness to go above and beyond to remove barriers for a candidate he wanted to hire.

• Les Schwab preferred to promote from within, avoiding hires from outside that might bring bad habits.
• Schwab's company never hired managers externally; all managers worked their way up from entry-level positions.

"In our 34 years of business, we have never hired a manager from the outside."

• Explanation: Les Schwab's quote highlights his company's policy of internal promotions, ensuring that managers are fully ingrained in the company culture.

• Larry Miller hired Jerry Sloan as coach of the Utah Jazz with the agreement that Sloan would have autonomy.
• This reflects the principle that A-players should be trusted to manage their responsibilities without micromanagement.

"If you hire me, let me run the team in business, right? That's what you're hiring me for."

• Explanation: Jerry Sloan's condition for accepting the coaching position reflects the need for autonomy in roles filled by highly capable individuals.

• Founders should develop skills that cannot be easily outsourced, as exemplified by Thomas Edison.
• Founders should be directly involved in hiring, as Elon Musk was with the first 3000 SpaceX employees.

"I can hire mathematicians, but they can't hire me."

• Explanation: Thomas Edison's quote signifies the unique value founders bring to their companies, which cannot be replicated by hiring others.

• Estee Lauder emphasized hiring individuals who share the founder's thinking and values.
• The company should reflect the founder's personality, making hiring decisions an extension of the founder's vision.

"Hire the best people. This is vital. Hire people who think as you do and treat them well."

• Explanation: Estee Lauder's advice focuses on the importance of hiring individuals aligned with the founder's philosophy and values for cohesive company culture.

• Peter Thiel criticized generic recruitment pitches and advocated for differentiated, compelling reasons to join a company.
• Thiel's approach is to make a company's mission and recruitment pitch stand out to attract exceptional talent.

"General and undifferentiated pitches to join your company don't say anything about why a recruit should join your company instead of many others."

• Explanation: Peter Thiel's quote encourages companies to create unique and specific recruitment messages that differentiate them from competitors.

• After hiring, it's crucial to create an environment where employees feel part of something significant and surrounded by talented peers.
• Steve Jobs stressed the importance of fostering a workplace that motivates employees and aligns with a clear vision.

"It's not just recruiting; after recruiting, it's building an environment that makes people feel they are surrounded by equally talented people and their work is bigger than they are."

• Explanation: Steve Jobs' statement highlights the ongoing responsibility of leaders to cultivate a workplace that inspires and challenges employees post-hire.