Citi CEO Jane Fraser swears by Warren Buffett’s golden rule for dealing with conflict at work: ‘Never, ever respond to that email in anger’

Jane Fraser, the CEO of Citi, has found a valuable lesson in conflict resolution from billionaire investor Warren Buffett. During an event at Stanford's Graduate School of Business in February, Fraser recounted two pieces of Buffett's advice that have shaped her approach to handling difficult situations. The first piece of advice was, "You can always call them an a–hole tomorrow."

Fraser emphasized the importance of never responding to an email in anger, as doing so could lead to regrettable consequences. She shared how this principle proved useful when facing pressure from an activist investor, allowing her to respond empathetically and ultimately diffuse the tense situation. Buffett also taught Fraser the importance of praising employees by name but avoiding criticism directed at individuals.

Fraser noted that criticizing someone by name often comes back to haunt the critic, serving as a cautionary reminder to maintain a positive work environment. Fraser's adherence to Buffett's principles has contributed to her success in building a strong leadership style, particularly as she navigates the challenges of restructuring Citi and removing toxic employees from the organization.