Ray Dalio's Wisdom on Gratitude and Leadership Principles

CoinZn In today’s CEO Daily: Diane Brady shares her observations from the closing day of the Fortune Global Forum taking place in Riyadh.

Good morning. During a recent conversation, I posed a thought-provoking question to Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates: Would he be interested in having a digital twin of his late mother to converse with? He responded thoughtfully, shaking his head: “I don’t know how it would affect the grieving process or my memory of her. I just don’t know.” This exchange took place after we stepped off the stage at the Fortune Global Forum in Riyadh, where we engaged in a comprehensive dialogue on topics ranging from investment strategies to the global economy, and even the principles guiding the creation of a “Digital Ray.”

Reflecting on his past, Dalio shared that following the loss of his mother at the age of 19, he believed he would never find joy again. However, he revealed, “Now when I think of her, I smile.” This sentiment poignantly illustrates the duality of loss and the journey toward acceptance, encapsulating one of Dalio's core guiding principles: gratitude. By consistently prioritizing such principles—whether it be through investing in gold or developing an AI counterpart—Dalio increases the likelihood of devising a strategy that has propelled Bridgewater to become one of the largest hedge funds globally, with Dalio recognized as its philosophical leader.

Over the past couple of days, my experiences have underscored the necessity of defining principles and establishing a roadmap to realize them. The clarity and ambition evident in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative is strikingly apparent in the rapid transformation of Riyadh. As H.E. Khalid A. Al-Falih, the Saudi investment minister, articulated, “We’re not simply waiting for the future to arrive. We’re actively constructing it today, not in isolation, but in collaboration with our global partners.”

When I inquired whether the U.K. had a similar strategic plan, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves enumerated several initiatives and aspirations aimed at advancing the nation’s interests.

Meanwhile, María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader and recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate, spoke to me while in hiding, expressing her vision for Venezuela. She urged the U.S. and other nations to unite around her perspective, framing Venezuela as a $1.7 trillion investment opportunity. While Machado acknowledged President Trump's assertive stance on Venezuela, she welcomed any international support to address “the disaster this socialist system has wrought.” (You can read our full interview here.)

CEOs like Christian Ulbrich from JLL understand the dynamics of countries with shared objectives and strategic plans. He notes that regions such as Asia and the Middle East are advancing at a significantly faster rate compared to much of Europe and North America. He remarked, “Other countries have learned to adapt and thrive in this changing landscape.”

As we reflect on these discussions and insights, it becomes clear that gratitude, vision, and shared principles are essential for leaders navigating the complexities of today's global economy. The emphasis on codifying these principles could very well be the key to fostering innovation and cooperation across borders.