“But I do think he should develop an organization of managers to oversee operations. The heads of BNSF, BHE, Ajit, and a new group of managers to oversee MSR operation subdivisions. He must free up time to focus on asset allocation decisions and future strategy for BRK.”

I totally agree. Part of WEB & CTM’s success was consciously creating a Lot of free time to read, think Big picture, long-term and view things from 30,000 feet. I know Greg is brilliant & a workaholic who wants to demonstrate his many talents. However, I truly hope he will create that same priority of creating “free” quiet time as the enormous challenge of constantly and wisely allocating hundreds of billions will be above all else.

Let’s hope the conflict that may arise from these changes will be manageable. As my spouse says “it’s not what you say but how you say it.” I’d like to think our managers can and will accept valid constructive criticism delivered positively and professionally and from a perspective that we are all on the same team. We all want a leaner BRK but without micromanaging our managers.

Coach K & Coach Saban did not tell their players what they wanted to hear, but always challenged them and told them the Truth, how and why it impacted the team, and knew the art of choosing what strategy to use to maximize the improvement & response of their unique and talented players.

I think Greg is/will be excellent. He and Ajit are already so skilled and intricately involved in business operations and must have had hundreds of in-depth discussions with WEB & CTM over the decades. Let’s be glad there will not be a sudden enormous transition when the time comes as these greater roles and responsibilities have been happening before our eyes in recent years.