If being stubborn and picky is the road to fortune, then a lot students at Immaculata University are putting on their game faces this week after a lecture given by John “Jack” Brennan.

The former Vanguard [see profile] chief, whose lecture was reported on by the Journal Register News Service and who holds a degree in economics from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree in business from Harvard University, explained that being stubborn meant being true to yourself.

He told an audience of mutual fund executive wannabes that being stubborn meant that he almost decided to leave Harvard Business School as a graduate student but stayed on because he was swayed by the dean of admissions, who was struck by Brennan's willingness to stick to his ethics, value and religion.

Brennan also explained that being picky means to “only work with people who share your values. Life is too short.” He recalled a story of why he and a close friend from graduate school had decided to not work for a company that believed “greed is good.”

Brennan reportedly said he joined Vanguard in July 1982 because of its character.

He also gave some leadership skill advice to the audience, including: “Never let good enough be good enough,” and, “Take time to mentor.”  

Edited by: Hung Tran


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