Dairy Queen CEO says he learned from Warren Buffett that being the 'smartest person in the world' isn't the most important attribute for success

• Dairy Queen CEO Troy Bader learned two lessons from his job interview with Warren Buffett: that passion triumphs intelligence when building a business, and there’s always something to learn from others. He’s one of many leaders—alongside billionaire philanthropist Melinda French Gates and Amex CEO Stephen Squeri—who have leaned on Buffett’s advice to succeed. 

Many businesses are birthed from a bright idea—but that isn’t enough to take a company big-time. Dairy Queen CEO Troy Bader said Warren Buffett taught him zeal for the mission is more important than anything else; being “smartest person in the world” won’t outperform “somebody who has that passion.”