Thomas Watson, Jr.
Thomas Watson, Jr. was an American businessman, diplomat, Army Air Forces pilot, and philanthropist, born on January 14, 1914, in Dayton.
Watson was educated at Morristown-Beard School, the Hun School of Princeton, and Brown University before going on to serve as a pilot in the Army Air Forces. He built his career in business and went on to serve as the second president of IBM from 1952 to 1971, a tenure that drew Fortune magazine to describe him as "the greatest capitalist in history." Time later named him one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. Beyond his business career, he served as the 11th national president of the Boy Scouts of America from 1964 to 1968, a role that earned him the Silver Buffalo Award, the organization's highest honor for adults. He also worked as a politician and entrepreneur, rounding out a career that crossed several distinct fields.
In 1979, Watson was appointed the 16th United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union, a post he held until 1981. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest civilian honors in the United States. Watson died on December 31, 1993, in Greenwich. Throughout his life he moved across roles that spanned business leadership, public service, diplomacy, and aviation, and his work as a philanthropist added another consistent thread to a career defined by engagement in national and international affairs.
Quotes by Thomas Watson, Jr.
When someone gives the hospital a gift of $5 and you know he can afford less than that, thank him profusely. When someone gives the hospital a gift of $5,000 and you know he could afford five times that, say “that will help.”
If you aren’t playing well, the game isn’t as much fun. When that happens I tell myself just to go out and play as I did when I was a kid...
There’s a fine line between eccentrics and geniuses. If you’re a little ahead of your time, you’re an eccentric, and if you’re too late, you’re a failure, but if you hit it right on the head, you’re a genius.
Repentance is a grace of God’s Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed.
Don’t make friends who are comfortable to be with. Make friends who will force you to lever yourself up.
Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure.
I believe the real difference between success and failure in a corporation can be very often traced to the question of how well the organization brings out the great energies and talents of its people.
Great design will not sell an inferior product, but it will enable a great product to achieve its maximum potential.
Always remember that your personality is your big asset. Do not try to emulate another person. Real personality comes from the heart.