Unconventional = successful?

Have you heard about the guy who has lost a bet and now dressed up as a stewardess and worked for an airline for one day? :) His name is Richard Branson and he is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world.

Richard Branson, the founder and owner of the Virgin Group (Virgin Atlantic airlines, telecommunications, trains, cosmetics and credit cards) says his goal is to turn Virgin into “the most respected brand in the world”. Branson’s skill as a brand builder is one of the reasons underlying his longevity as a business leader.

I think it is difficult to separate the success of the Virgin brand from the authentic man behind that brand. He travels the world weekly, reinforcing his goo-natured, visible, jet setting, billionaire reputation. Once I read an interview in which he was asked what the most important quality of a good leader is. Here is his very honest and straight answer: “Being someone who cares about people is important. You can’t be a good leader unless you generally like people. That is how you bring out the best in them.”

Richard Branson is a very successful entrepreneur because of his stamina. At first, nobody takes him seriously. He was an unemployed crackpot, a dreamer but also a VISIONARY. However, by the time he has finally earned the respect of the business community, he has already made it.