The value of hard work

David Cote, the former CEO of Honeywell International, Inc., is a business leader who attributes much of his success to discipline, responsibility, and a lack of entitlement. His perspective reflects a deep understanding of what it takes to achieve meaningful results in life and business. Cote’s leadership transformed Honeywell, and his insights remind us that true success requires more than just intelligence—it demands effort, humility, and a commitment to personal responsibility.

Cote’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of your life, making informed decisions, and understanding the value of hard work. His reflections serve as a powerful reminder of the lessons passed down through generations about the connection between effort and achievement.

“Being smart is not enough to achieve results. Plenty of smart people get beaten by others who are more hungry, take calculated risks, work harder, have better people skills, can execute better, or have more common sense. Recognize what you need in that total package to succeed.

“Before making any decision, get the facts as best you can. Don’t just react based on what newspapers say, or your ideology. Make sure you understand the facts as both sides say them.

“Take responsibility for yourself. Other than a basic right to opportunity, you are not entitled to anything. No one is. My Mom certainly drilled that into us. In the Western world we oftentimes forget the reason we live so well is because our parents and grandparents worked harder than the rest of the world to get here. The more you feel entitled to things, the tougher your life will be because that’s just not how the world works.”

_{Source: Cote, David. University of New Hampshire. Memorial Field. Durham, New Hampshire. 21 May 2011. Commencement Address.}