Good Decisions and Bad Decisions

A YOUNG new bank president made an appointment to meet with his soon-to-retire predecessor to seek advice as he took on his new responsibilities. He had one basic question to ask. He wanted to know how the older gentleman had become so successful. His predecessor looked at him and said two words: “Good decisions.” The young man, wanting more detail, pressed further and asked how one could come to make good decisions. The predecessor said, “Experience.” The young banker continued his line of questioning by asking how one could come to gain experience. The predecessor said, “Bad decisions.”