Tuning into the Future: How Sarnoff Engineered Success

Innovation: Sarnoff pursued his engineers so doggedly that there was no chance but to succeed. He made it his life's mission to understand the ins and outs of not only his business, but of the technologies that backed it up. By refusing to ever accept the status quo, Sarnoff made sure his company was always at the forefront of new, cutting-edge technologies.

Promotion: Some experts have disputed whether or not Sarnoff was the sole telegraph operator working during the crash of the Titanic. If it is in fact not true, it only goes to show Sarnoff's self-promotion skills even more. He used a tragic accident to propel himself into the country's spotlight, and he never turned back.

Perseverance: Boss after boss rejected Sarnoff's idea for a "radio music box," believing that the average American would never have any use for a radio in their home. Even after being laughed out of their offices, Sarnoff believed in himself and persevered until in the end, he was the last one laughing.

Ruthlessness: Sarnoff might not have been the nicest boss at all times, but he knew how to stand his ground, and believed in himself enough to not ever give up the hard fight.

Service: "It is probable that television drama of high caliber and produced by first-rate artists will materially raise the level of dramatic taste of the nation." Speaking of TV, Sarnoff once said, "It is a creative force which we must learn to utilize for the benefit of mankind. It is an art which shines like a torch of hope in the troubled world." From his business to his politics, Sarnoff believed in living a life of service to others. Where he felt it was his duty to take action, he made no hesitation.

When Sarnoff died in 1971, his obituary in the New York Times read, "He was not an inventor, nor was he a scientist. But he was a man of astounding vision who was able to see with remarkable clarity the possibilities of harnessing the electron."

Sarnoff began his career when he was just nine years old, selling Yiddish, then English newspapers on the streets of New York City. By the time he was ten years old, the English he had learned from the newspapers was enough to get by in school, and soon find a better job to help support his family. As fast as he had learnt English, so too did he climb the ranks of corporate America, planning every step of the way. "I hitched my wagon to an electron rather than the proverbial star," he said. After all, Sarnoff believed that "A life that hasn't a definite plan is likely to become driftwood."