World's Top Executives and the Best Advice They Received

Bangalore:  No one makes it to the top alone. The most successful leaders are where they are today because they took advice from the people they trusted. Business Insider compiled some of the best tips that executives have shared throughout the years, including lessons from tech icons like Bill Gates, legendary investment gurus like Warren Buffett and empire-builders like Richard Branson.

1. Terry J Lundgren, CEO, Macy's:

Gene Ross, the man who recruited Terry at Bullock, told him - "You’re not going to do this forever. There’s a finite amount of time you’re going to be doing this. Do this really, really well. And if you do this really, really well, everybody will see that, and they’ll move you onto the next thing. And you do that well, and then you’ll move."

2. Richard Branson, founder and chairman, Virgin Group:

Richard said "My mother always taught me never to look back in regret but to move on to the next thing. The amount of time people waste dwelling on failures rather than putting that energy into another project, always amazes me. I have fun running ALL the Virgin businesses — so a setback is never a bad experience, just a learning curve."

3. Marissa Mayer, VP, Google:
Marissa was quoted saying “My friend Andre said to me, ‘you know, Marissa, you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself to pick the right choice, and I’ve gotta be honest: That’s not what I see here. I see a bunch of good choices, and there’s the one that you pick and make great. I think that’s one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten.”