Page 84 - The Way to the Top

J. Roger FRIEDMAN

President of Lebhar-Friedman, Inc.

My father, Arnold D. Friedman, started Lebhar-Friedman, Inc., a
publishing company, in 1925. We usually had lunch every Wednesday. It
was during these meetings that he spoke about values and imparted advice

gleaned from his success, advice based on principles that still apply today.

The first of these values was honesty. “Treat other people as you would
want to be treated yourself,” he said. “Never cut corners. A business
arrangement or deal can only be successful and long-lasting if it benefits
both parties.”

He also cautioned me: “Admit when you are wrong. Be more flexible
and not so rigid. If you become fixed in your beliefs and opinions, you will
be ossified and eventually unable to move.”

He valued equilibrium. “Have a sense of balance in your life,” he said.

“There are far more important things in life than business . . . there is your
family, your home, your health, and you must be able to enjoy the
pleasures of life. We are only going to pass through this world once!” In
other words, when things got difficult and problems arose, my father
would always say “Illegitimi non carborundum est” (“Don’t let the

S.O.B.’s wear you down”).

Then there was the lesson taught by a friend at General Foods, an
individual by the name of Clarence Francis. Mr. Francis attributed his
success, as my father did and I do, to the fact that he never hired people he

didn’t like. Life is too short to have individuals within your business
family whose company you do not enjoy and with whom you do not want