Lesson #4: Work Like Hell
Lesson #4: Work Like Hell
Despite Turner’s passion and determination in trying to realize his dreams, it was nothing short of hard work that helped him reach the top as quickly as he did. “In 20 short years, by all the surveys, we became the world’s most respected news source,” he says, reflecting on the enormous growth of CNN. “The New York Times had been there for 100 years. We did it in 20.” And, Turner did not take anything for granted. He knew that even though he had reached the top, it would take the same amount of hard work to sustain that position. “You can coast on that reputation for a long time but if you’re going to hold that position, which I think would be the most profitable position too, you have to earn it.”
In 1976, Turner saw an opportunity in television and seized it by creating Turner Broadcasting Systems. But, timing’s role in Turner’s success was limited; the creation of CNN, a 24-hour news channel with international coverage, demanded nothing short of a 24-hour time commitment from Turner. Turner was bent on covering news in real time, all the time, and thus all his time became devoted to work. He didn’t just stay up once or twice to finish a project off, but rather he converted his office into an apartment. Turner slept over most nights at CNN headquarters and CNN staff regularly saw him leave his office to grab a cup of coffee in his bathrobe. He would also rarely spend more than 30 seconds with any one person, rushing off to do the next task at hand.
Turner was not alone in his dedication; he had a solid staff behind him that was equally committed to getting CNN off the ground. Staff regularly worked six or seven days a week alongside Turner, with one worker claiming, “[Turner] was much more than a cheerleader. He was the kind of guy you’d want to run through a wall for.” Acknowledging that “the best way to lead is by example”, Turner inspired his staff to work just as hard as him to achieve their common goal.
Despite the fact that he is nearing his 70s, Turner is still going strong. He has involved all of his five children in his ventures in one way or another – most of them share his concern for the environment and retain a position with the Turner Foundation – which allows him to remain the committed workaholic that he is while still staying a family man. “I see what keeps people young,” Turner once said. “Work!”
Lesson 4 Work Like Hell
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When Turner was once asked what the secret of business success was, he replied, “Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise.” With typical workdays consisting of 18 hours, Turner was an admitted overachiever and a workaholic. The passion he had for his work, saying, “CNN came out of my heart and soul,” meant that anything less than his best would not have been acceptable.
Despite Turner’s passion and determination in trying to realize his dreams, it was nothing short of hard work that helped him reach the top as quickly as he did. “In 20 short years, by all the surveys, we became the world’s most respected news source,” he says, reflecting on the enormous growth of CNN. “The New York Times had been there for 100 years. We did it in 20.” And, Turner did not take anything for granted. He knew that even though he had reached the top, it would take the same amount of hard work to sustain that position. “You can coast on that reputation for a long time but if you’re going to hold that position, which I think would be the most profitable position too, you have to earn it.”
In 1976, Turner saw an opportunity in television and seized it by creating Turner Broadcasting Systems. But, timing’s role in Turner’s success was limited; the creation of CNN, a 24-hour news channel with international coverage, demanded nothing short of a 24-hour time commitment from Turner. Turner was bent on covering news in real time, all the time, and thus all his time became devoted to work. He didn’t just stay up once or twice to finish a project off, but rather he converted his office into an apartment. Turner slept over most nights at CNN headquarters and CNN staff regularly saw him leave his office to grab a cup of coffee in his bathrobe. He would also rarely spend more than 30 seconds with any one person, rushing off to do the next task at hand.
Turner was not alone in his dedication; he had a solid staff behind him that was equally committed to getting CNN off the ground. Staff regularly worked six or seven days a week alongside Turner, with one worker claiming, “[Turner] was much more than a cheerleader. He was the kind of guy you’d want to run through a wall for.” Acknowledging that “the best way to lead is by example”, Turner inspired his staff to work just as hard as him to achieve their common goal.
Despite the fact that he is nearing his 70s, Turner is still going strong. He has involved all of his five children in his ventures in one way or another – most of them share his concern for the environment and retain a position with the Turner Foundation – which allows him to remain the committed workaholic that he is while still staying a family man. “I see what keeps people young,” Turner once said. “Work!”
Lesson 4 Work Like Hell
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