Finding My Virginity: The New Autobiography

by Richard Branson

I’ve always lived every day as if it’s my last, fiercely loving my family and friends and trying to make a positive difference. We only get one life, and this is mine.

Generally, we like to work fast: try ideas, see if they stick, and, if they don’t, quickly move on to the next one.

I wanted to give Holly and Sam the same freedom to mature, but was always aware it was different for them due to our wealth. There was no getting away from the fact that, whatever they did, there was always a safety net. That has to have an effect on how you approach life, and can easily leave you damaged.

There is a lesson there. Good manners cost nothing: little kindnesses will take you a long way.

I’ve always found the best market research is to ask the people closest to you for their opinion, and then steadily branch out.

When it comes to deals like this, or any negotiations really, the key is to display passion, know-how and determination. Get to the point quickly, be persistent and consistent, and don’t rely too heavily on prompts, statistics, and certainly not PowerPoint slides. I went into the meeting with my notebook in my back pocket, armed with beautiful spaceship pictures, a lot of enthusiasm and belief in the project. Investors buy into people and ideas, not numbers alone.

I take notes in every meeting, to keep the frame of mind to learn. I edit as I go along, and follow up with dates and tasks in order of importance.

Virgin has a note-taking culture and I’m certain it wouldn’t be the success it is today without it. The same goes for my assistants. I couldn’t get through the work day without Helen. She is my memory, travels the world with me and knows what I am thinking before I ask.

As I discovered from my dad, nobody ever learned anything by listening to themselves speak.

Dad died a happy man. The only way you can do that is by filling your life with purpose and love: what you give, what you do, how you treat people and how you make them feel.

‘You should always take a look if you hear something unusual at night,’ he told him, ‘especially if there are older people with you. It only takes a minute to check, and it could make all the difference’.

I don’t believe that everything happens for a reason. But I do believe that, whatever happens, you can learn from it and create something really positive. Better things can come out of adversity.

As an entrepreneur you are better equipped than anyone to question things, listen and learn and ultimately make a call. But there is always another company – there is not another wife, son or daughter. It doesn’t matter how much money you earn; nothing is worth more than your family’s health.

Often tiny little things make all the difference. Life is made up of a series of small moments; we simply must try to cherish each one. Whether that is watching a film curled up on the sofa, going out to dinner, or spending time with our family, we try to make our time together count.

As Doctor Yes, people do have an expectation when they pitch to me that I will always say yes. Of course, many of these ideas are not up to scratch. One technique I use if that’s the case is to politely not respond and change the subject. Likewise, in a business meeting, if somebody is saying something I completely disagree with, I will keep quiet. If people don’t respond to me as I suggest something, I know immediately they disagree. When this happens, I say, ‘I can tell by the fact you haven’t responded that you see it differently. What do you think?’

The key enterprising skills I used when first starting out are the very same ones I use today: the art of delegation, risk-taking, surrounding yourself with a great team and working on projects you really believe in.

‘All human beings are born as entrepreneurs. But unfortunately, many of us never had the opportunity to unwrap that part of our life, so it remains hidden.’ Now, as you do have the opportunity, don’t waste it.

While business may have changed from when I started out, the principles are the same and still fit what I am good at: finding markets that need shaking up, coming up with ways to make people’s lives better, then finding brilliant people to bring it to life.

I used to play Monopoly a lot as a kid. I played aggressively, always expanding when there was the chance to buy a new street or build a hotel. Occasionally I would have to turn hotels upside down when I ran out of cash. My adult life went on to imitate my childhood.

A crisis is often a good time to start a new business. When the 2007 economic downturn happened, I thought it would be the perfect moment to begin searching for suitable properties.

Put simply, it works. If I can work from a hammock, start work at 6 a.m. and take time out in the day to go kitesurfing, there is no reason why one of my team in London or New York can’t take a Friday off to enjoy a long weekend away, or leave the office early to see their child in a school play.

‘We should focus on what people get done, not on how many hours or days worked. Just as we don’t have a nine to five policy, we don’t need a vacation policy.’

The more you support your staff, the healthier and happier your business will be.

“We don’t build services to make money; we make money to build better services.”’

‘A leader is someone who falls in love with the people they serve and allows the people to fall in love with them.’

The way to become a great leader is to look for the best in people – seldom criticise – always praise.