Howard Lutnick Quotes

Powerful Howard Lutnick for Daily Growth

About Howard Lutnick

Howard Lutnick, born on September 13, 1962, is an American businessman and philanthropist, best known for his role as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Cantor Fitzgerald, a global financial services firm. His life story is one of resilience, leadership, and commitment to service. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Lutnick demonstrated an early interest in finance and business. Tragically, on September 11, 2001, Cantor Fitzgerald lost 658 employees, including both of Lutnick's brothers, Gary and Edward, in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. Amidst profound grief, Lutnick stepped up to lead the company, guiding it through a difficult period of rebuilding and recovery. Lutnick's leadership has been marked by a commitment to philanthropy. In 2001, he established the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, which provides aid to victims of disasters worldwide. He also founded the Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery at Hofstra University, showcasing contemporary art and supporting student internships in the arts. One of Lutnick's most significant works is the book "Recovery: A Memoir of a Year in My Family's Life" (2003), co-written with his wife, Allison, which chronicles their experiences during the aftermath of 9/11. The book serves as a poignant testament to the power of resilience and human connection in the face of adversity. In addition to his roles at Cantor Fitzgerald, Lutnick is actively involved in various charitable organizations, including the Robin Hood Foundation and the NYPD Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund. His life and work continue to embody the spirit of resilience, leadership, and service that define him as an influential figure in business and philanthropy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We're not in the business of losing money; we're in the business of making money."

This quote emphasizes a fundamental principle of successful businesses: profit-making is the primary objective. It underscores that companies should aim to generate revenue, rather than suffer losses. This doesn't mean they will always be profitable, but it highlights their focus on financial success and responsible risk management to ensure long-term sustainability.


"The best thing that ever happened to me was when I lost everything."

This quote suggests that losing everything can serve as a profound catalyst for personal growth, self-reflection, and transformation. In adversity, one may discover resilience, reevaluate priorities, and ultimately find a new perspective on life that leads to personal enrichment and fulfillment. In Howard Lutnick's case, this could refer to the tragic events of 9/11, which led him to rebuild his company and develop a strong emphasis on employee support and community service. This experience instilled in him a newfound appreciation for life and its meaningful aspects.


"I realized that if you have a great team and you treat them right, they will do extraordinary things for you."

This quote by Howard Lutnick emphasizes the power of a strong, well-treated team in achieving extraordinary outcomes. It suggests that when leaders invest in their teams, recognizing and valuing their contributions, those teams are motivated to go above and beyond in their work. In essence, it underscores the importance of fostering a positive, supportive work environment for optimal performance and success.


"Success is about the people you surround yourself with."

This quote highlights the importance of relationships in achieving success. In other words, it emphasizes that the individuals we choose to associate with significantly impact our personal growth and professional accomplishments. The people around us can influence our mindset, inspire us, provide valuable resources, and guide us towards opportunities, which ultimately contribute to our overall success. Therefore, when assembling a team or choosing friends, one should consider individuals who are supportive, knowledgeable, and driven, as they will help foster an environment conducive to achieving personal and professional goals.


"If you don't take care of your employees, someone else will."

This quote emphasizes the importance of prioritizing employee well-being and satisfaction in a business environment. In essence, it suggests that if employers neglect their staff, there are always other companies ready to provide them with better treatment. A happy and well-cared-for workforce is more productive, loyal, and likely to contribute positively to the overall success of the organization.


I believe in what I call 'the surfer's theory.' You see a really, really big wave. You keep surfing, keep going forward. You just don't look back.

- Howard Lutnick

Forward, Big, Going, Surfing

Anything commodity-like will be sold online. The world is going to trade commodities like it trades stocks.

- Howard Lutnick

World, Trade, Sold, Trades

Washington is not the engine of the economy.

- Howard Lutnick

Washington, Economy, Engine

You have to give people more than one chance. We hire people in job A, and if it doesn't work out, we try them on job B. We'll generally give them three different tries. You have to be more committed to training, but you know they have the right stuff because someone you think highly of has recommended them.

- Howard Lutnick

Training, Hire, Tries, Recommended

What people really haven't thought about with real estate is, if you get tax reform, you're going to see real estate now... the velocity of selling and buying real estate will just kick.

- Howard Lutnick

Thought, Will, Going, Tax Reform

Personally, I find it odd that they would name it One World Trade Center. Frankly, I think if they named it any company name, I would think it was - you know, the memorial is beautiful, but I don't know why they don't change the name. That just seems so odd to me.

- Howard Lutnick

Why, I Think, Named, Memorial

You can't make promises you can't keep.

- Howard Lutnick

You, Keep, Make, Promises

After Hurricane Sandy, we adopted 19 elementary schools in tough neighborhoods. We took each kid in those schools and gave the family a prepaid Visa card.

- Howard Lutnick

Kid, Neighborhoods, Took, Visa

I would blast AC/DC and walk out onto the tennis court and try to hit the ball hard.

- Howard Lutnick

Court, Tennis, Onto, Blast

Haverford was there for me and taught me what it meant to be a human being.

- Howard Lutnick

Human Being, Meant, Taught, Meant To Be

With management and employees on the same side of the table, your interests are aligned, and shareholders look at you as one.

- Howard Lutnick

Side, Your, Shareholders, Table

Athletics weren't really in the cards in my family - books, not body.

- Howard Lutnick

Cards, Books, Were, Athletics

In 1997, clients balked at self-ordering. They thought it was beneath them. But in 1998, a sea change in perception came, thanks to the rise of the Net and online trading. The concept of doing it yourself was not crazy.

- Howard Lutnick

Doing, Beneath, Trading, Perception

I worked during summers on the foreign exchange desk as a dollar/yen broker for Noonan, Astley & Pierce. I used to write the chairman notes about how he could improve his business. And I met Bernie Cantor through this job.

- Howard Lutnick

Through, Notes, About, Chairman

People don't value strongly enough how much time they spend in the office. Imagine you could work with people you love - wouldn't work be great and staff turnover be lower? And your productivity higher?

- Howard Lutnick

Love, Imagine, How Much Time, Turnover

New York is a spectacular place, and those who are jealous of the way we live our lives are always going to, you know, to strike out, and, you know, we're always going to be a target, sadly. London is going to be a target. You know, anywhere in the West, you're a target.

- Howard Lutnick

London, Anywhere, Our, Spectacular

The combination of Cantor and eSpeed will earn more money and be more profitable than we ever were before September 11.

- Howard Lutnick

Will, More, Before, September

Our whole lives, did any of us actually think a quarter of a percent was actually an interest rate?

- Howard Lutnick

Think, Actually, Lives, Quarter

For us to be successful, we have to kick our competitors' butt.

- Howard Lutnick

Kick, Competitors, Our, Butt

Without parents, you sort of lose the gravity that keeps your feet on the earth.

- Howard Lutnick

Feet, Lose, Gravity, Keeps

If people say I paid someone more because I liked them, okay. I don't think that's a bad thing.

- Howard Lutnick

Think, Bad, Okay, Bad Thing

Dead-low interest rates are great for stocks. They don't run up, they creep up.

- Howard Lutnick

Interest, Interest Rates, Stocks

The World Trade Center was the target for the world, and they hit the target.

- Howard Lutnick

World, Trade, Hit, Target

It's the details that make people distinct, that make them individuals.

- Howard Lutnick

Them, Distinct, Individuals, Details

The best way to show someone you love them is to care for the people they love.

- Howard Lutnick

Love, Someone, Best Way, For The People

eSpeed took the worst that the world could dish out, and it still stood and performed.

- Howard Lutnick

World, Still, Took, Performed

People looked to rating agencies to do the work for them.

- Howard Lutnick

Work, Looked, Agencies, Rating

It's hard for bad things to happen when you have no debt.

- Howard Lutnick

Bad, Happen, Bad Things, Debt

The idea that big buyside firms are going to come in and trade mano-a-mano with high-frequency trading firms shows a lack of knowledge of the business.

- Howard Lutnick

Business, Big, Trading, Trade

When you take away all the people whose shoulders a CEO stands on, the CEO is just a person.

- Howard Lutnick

Shoulders, Stands, Take, CEO

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