In Brief – Stephen Bittel
Current project: Establishing our new headquarters and completing mixed-use building in Coral Gables. Latest accomplishment: Acquired 4 more buildings in the Miracle Mile and Coral Gables areas of greater Miami. Latest contribution to others: Donated to the Movement Disorder Division at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Hobbies: Orchids, wine, philanthropy. Recent travel or adventure: Fishing in the Bahamas. Last book read: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, by Yuval Noah Harari. Recently viewed and recommended: Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
Personality profile: Incisive, determined, focused. Moral compass: What would my father say? How do you define an ideal business relationship? Honest, mutually beneficial;, supportive. What is your greatest joy? Playing with my grandchildren. What is your guilty pleasure? Old Bordeaux wine. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Exactly. What natural talent have you neglected? Public speaking. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Research doctors.
What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Monopoly and Scrabble. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Top Gun; The Godfather. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? A photograph of my son, Warren Buffet and me. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Listen more, talk less. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Overprepare. Never run out of cash. What is your go-to source of news and information? CNN and The Drudge Report. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? My backyard; walking in NYC.
What is your big idea?
Push more civic engagement.What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Teaching another generation of leadership. What change would you like to see in the world? Greater diversity and equality in the workplace. What mega-trend most excites you? Consumption of animal proteins.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Never Enough. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Tom Hanks. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Nelson Mandela. I met him once. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Our wine. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family, walking and talking. What advice would you give your younger self? Listen more. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The birth of our kids.
Favorite quote: “Never give in” (Winston Churchill). Desired epitaph: Every friend could always depend on him.
