Jorge Paulo Lemann Quotes

Powerful Jorge Paulo Lemann for Daily Growth

About Jorge Paulo Lemann

Jorge Paulo Lemann, born on September 19, 1942, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a prominent business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Known for his successful career in private equity and leveraged buyouts, Lemann has been ranked as the richest person in Brazil and one of the wealthiest individuals globally. Lemann's academic journey began at Stanford University, where he earned degrees in economics and law. This education laid the foundation for his future business endeavors. Upon returning to Brazil, Lemann joined the beer-brewing company Brahma, which was later merged with Antarctica and AmBev, forming the world's third-largest brewer, AB InBev. In 1989, Lemann co-founded 3G Capital, a Brazilian private equity firm known for its emphasis on operational improvements in its portfolio companies. With 3G, he orchestrated some of the most significant deals in business history, including the acquisition of Burger King in 2010 and the merger of Burger King and Tim Hortons in 2014 to create Restaurant Brands International (RBI). Lemann's entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond the realm of business. He is an avid sports enthusiast, owning several sports teams such as the Miami Dolphins NFL franchise and the Boston Red Sox MLB team. Throughout his career, Lemann has been recognized for his significant contributions to business and philanthropy. In 2019, he received the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord in Spain, recognizing his achievements and dedication to social causes. Despite his busy schedule, Lemann continues to actively engage in various sectors, leveraging his expertise to drive growth and innovation.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

Jorge Paulo Lemann's quote emphasizes the importance of resilience in the pursuit of success. It suggests that temporary setbacks or failures (successes that are not final) should not discourage one from continuing their efforts (courage to continue). Instead, it is this determination and perseverance that ultimately defines a person's ability to overcome obstacles and achieve long-term success (it is the courage to continue that counts).


"I always think that a team without ambition is a bad team."

This quote emphasizes the importance of having ambitious goals and aspirations within a team setting. A team without ambition lacks motivation, direction, and the drive to succeed, making it an ineffective and unproductive team. Ambition fosters growth, innovation, and competition among team members, pushing them to exceed their own limits and strive for excellence. Therefore, having ambition is crucial for a team to thrive and reach its full potential.


"The most important thing in business is to get and stay close to the customer."

This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with customers in business. By understanding their needs, preferences, and behaviors, businesses can adapt their products, services, or strategies accordingly to provide value and ultimately ensure customer loyalty and long-term success. Closeness to the customer is essential for building trust, fostering innovation, and ensuring that businesses remain competitive in their respective markets.


"You have to have vision. You have to see a little bit down the road, you have to take risks."

This quote emphasizes the importance of foresight and calculated risk-taking in achieving success. Vision refers to the ability to imagine possibilities beyond the current situation, to see opportunities that others might not notice. It also implies setting goals or aspirations for the future. Taking risks means stepping outside one's comfort zone, challenging assumptions, and potentially facing uncertainty or failure. However, these actions should be strategic and well thought out to maximize the chances of a positive outcome. Essentially, this quote suggests that success requires both a clear vision of what could be achieved in the future, and the willingness to take measured risks to make it happen.


"I always believe that if we can combine the best practices from different industries, we can create something truly remarkable."

This quote by Jorge Paulo Lemann emphasizes the power of cross-industry collaboration in driving innovation and achieving exceptional results. By combining the best practices from various sectors, Lemann suggests that it is possible to generate something unique, extraordinary, and potentially revolutionary. This approach encourages organizations to learn from each other, adapt their strategies, and apply successful methods from different contexts to create a competitive advantage. In essence, the quote underscores the importance of open-mindedness, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace change in order to progress and thrive.


Maybe I was accepted to Harvard only because of my tennis skills, since I definitively had no great academic achievements. I was 17 and only thought about surfing and playing tennis. I had almost never left Rio de Janeiro and had never been to the United States.

- Jorge Paulo Lemann

Thought, Achievements, Been, Rio

The three short years I spent at Harvard, where I lived with excellent people, taught me not only that I must know how to choose my partners but also that choosing excellent partners is a skill you can learn. Obviously, when you spend time with the best, you learn how to choose among them.

- Jorge Paulo Lemann

Best, Choose, Choosing, Harvard

In day-to-day life, you have stimulus to behave unethically, but in the long term, it always pays off to be ethical.

- Jorge Paulo Lemann

Always, Day-To-Day Life, Long Term

I always say, 'To have a big dream requires the same effort as having a small dream. Dream big!'

- Jorge Paulo Lemann

Small, Big, Always, Requires

It takes the same effort to think small than to think big. But to think big frees you from the insignificant details.

- Jorge Paulo Lemann

Small, Think, Big, Think Big

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