In the world of business, there are few names that hold as much weight as Warren Buffett. The billionaire investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway has built an empire over the course of several decades, amassing a net worth of over $100 billion and becoming one of the most influential figures in the finance world. However, even the Oracle of Omaha must eventually pass the torch to a successor. In recent years, Buffett has made it clear that he believes he has found the right person to lead Berkshire into the future: his longtime business partner, Greg Abel.

Abel has been with Berkshire Hathaway for over two decades, serving as the head of its energy unit before being promoted to vice chairman in 2018. In this role, he has been tasked with overseeing the company’s non-insurance operations and has been seen by many as a likely successor to Buffett. However, despite his impressive resume, Abel has often been described as a more private and reserved figure compared to the charismatic Buffett.

That appears to be changing, however. According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Abel is learning to embrace the spotlight that comes with being a top executive at Berkshire Hathaway. The article describes how Abel has become more comfortable with public speaking and has been making more frequent appearances at conferences and events.

This newfound confidence was on full display at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting held on May 1, 2023. Abel took on a more prominent role than in previous years, fielding questions from shareholders and speaking at length about the company’s future plans. He even made a joke at one point, quipping that he was “not yet ready for retirement.”

The article goes on to suggest that this growing public profile for Abel is likely a deliberate strategy on the part of Buffett and other senior leaders at Berkshire Hathaway. As the company looks to transition to new leadership in the coming years, it will be important for shareholders and the public to have confidence in the abilities of Abel and other potential successors. By giving Abel more opportunities to shine in the spotlight, the company is helping to build that confidence and reassure investors that the transition will be a smooth one.

Of course, it remains to be seen exactly when Buffett will step down and Abel will officially take the reins at Berkshire Hathaway. The billionaire has long been cagey about his retirement plans, famously saying in 2018 that he had no plans to retire “until my last breath.” However, as he approaches his nineties, it seems increasingly likely that a transition will take place in the not-too-distant future.

When that day comes, though, it seems clear that Abel will be ready for the challenge. With his growing confidence and newfound comfort in the spotlight, he appears to be the perfect person to carry on the legacy of Warren Buffett and lead Berkshire Hathaway into the future.