Businessweek.com recently conducted an interview with WWE Chairman of the Board Vince McMahon, during which he speaks on a number of topics, including his hatred of sleep and what bothers him during WWE job interviews. Below are some highlights:
I average about four hours of sleep. I don't like to sleep. I'm missing something when I'm sleeping. From a personal standpoint, I'm aggressive by nature and I'm truculent by nature. So I need to have a socially acceptable outlet for that. That would be bodybuilding. I enjoy that. It's a challenge to be stronger. I get a lot of enjoyment by training. Nutrition goes with it. I train for my head—not my body. The ancillary benefits are that I'm healthy as a horse. It really does clear my head. It's an opportunity to wash anything from my head, business-wise or personal. That's my moment when I can get into a zone.
On what bothers him during WWE job interviews: My first question is: Why do you want to work with WWE? They don't have to know WWE, by the way. They don't have to be fans. Sometimes that gets in the way. If they give me a boilerplate answer, I look at them and I say, 'That's a boilerplate answer. It's not what I'm looking for.' I'm very straightforward and very honest with people. That's what I want back. Don't tell how to make the watch—tell me what time it is. Be honest. It cuts through a lot of crap. People know where they stand. They know where you stand. Life becomes a lot easier.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
