Greg Smith

Businessman, Philanthropist

Greg Smith is a former Goldman Sachs executive and author known for his critique of corporate culture in finance, particularly in his book 'Why I Left Goldman Sachs.'

Born
January 1, 1960
Quotes
10
Rank
#5640

About Greg Smith

Greg Smith — Life and Legacy

Greg Smith is a former executive at Goldman Sachs who gained notoriety for his candid critique of the financial industry's culture in his book 'Why I Left Goldman Sachs.' His resignation letter, published in The New York Times, sparked widespread discussion about ethics in finance, emphasizing the toxic environment that prioritizes profit over client welfare. Smith's core philosophy revolves around the idea that success should not come at the cost of integrity. He famously stated that the firm's culture had become 'toxic,' reflecting his belief that the relentless pursuit of profit undermines ethical standards. This perspective challenges the traditional views of success in corporate America, advocating for a model where personal values align with professional actions. Smith's insights remain relevant as they resonate with ongoing discussions about corporate responsibility and the need for ethical leadership in today's business landscape.

Quote collection

Greg Smith quotes

10 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Greg Smith Businessman, Philanthropist
Popular

"Before you can ever inspire, motivate, or influence, you must connect first."

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Greg Smith Businessman, Philanthropist
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"Change is eminent, control is an illusion, but dreams are eternal. Believe in your dreams!"

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Greg Smith Businessman, Philanthropist
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"The true nature of mankind comes down to a simple question: 'Do we teach children how to be good or how to be bad?'"

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Greg Smith Businessman, Philanthropist
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"A majority of the crime in the downtown is property crime. There have been a few larcenies and burglaries, but robberies and assaults are not common in the downtown. There isn't usually any violent crime."

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Greg Smith Businessman, Philanthropist
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"If clients don’t trust you they will eventually stop doing business with you. It doesn’t matter how smart you are."

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Greg Smith Businessman, Philanthropist
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"I knew it was time to leave when I realized I could no longer look students in the eye and tell them what a great place this was to work."

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Greg Smith Businessman, Philanthropist
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"It makes me ill how callously people talk about ripping their clients off I don’t know of any illegal behavior, but will people push the envelope and pitch lucrative and complicated products to clients even if they are not the simplest investments or the ones most directly aligned with the client’s goals? Absolutely. Every day, in fact."

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Greg Smith Businessman, Philanthropist
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"Leadership used to be about ideas, setting an example and doing the right thing. Today, if you make enough money for the firm (and are not currently an ax murderer) you will be promoted into a position of influence."

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Greg Smith Businessman, Philanthropist
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"Getting an unsophisticated client was the golden prize. The quickest way to make money on Wall Street is to take the most sophisticated product and try to sell it to the least sophisticated client."

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