John D. Rockefeller, with his brother and two others, founded Standard Oil in 1870. By the 1880s, he controlled more than 90 percent of the U.S oil refinery business.
What drove Rockefeller—this quintessential American businessman? For one thing, he believed his road to success was paved with small facts. He disciplined himself to listen closely and to retain information for later use. And he didn't just listen to himself. After a heated conversation with friend or enemy, he would repeat to himself the points made by others.
This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. A study of the lives of great men is time well spent. We can grow through our efforts to understand small things in the high calling of our daily work.
(Howard Butt, Jr., http://www.thehighcalling.org/Library/Browsing_Messages.asp?TypeID=1)
