Question

How did Warren Buffett's family dynamics influence his career?

Warren Buffett's family dynamics significantly influenced his career. Growing up with a verbally abusive mother, he developed an undying need to feel loved and to be with women who would never criticize him. This need for approval and acceptance may have driven his ambition and success in his career. His marriage to Susie, who provided him with the love and acceptance he craved, allowed him to focus on his work, even at the expense of his family life. His thriftiness, indicated by his vanity plate 'THRIFTY', may also be a result of his upbringing during the Great Depression.

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Born in 1930, Buffet grew up during the Great Depression with a stockbroker father and a verbally abusive mother. Idolizing one parent, and loathing another shaped Buffet's life. His mother Leila would often tongue-lash both Warren and his older sister until they were sobbing. As a result, Buffett grew up with undying need to feel loved, and to be with women who would never criticize him. When he married Susie, he finally found what was missing in his life, but Susie and their three children came second to his work.Unbeknownst to him, she secretly hoping that once he made enough money, he would spend more time at home. Fifty-two years later, Susie never got her wish, and moved out. In hindsight, his vanity plate THRIFTY, should have given her a clue.

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