Personal characteristics professional trader

Hey y'all,

We all know that important characteristics of professional traders (not day-traders) are: patience, passion, team-player, discipline, multi-tasking.

But what are the characteristics, besides the above mentioned, that professional traders must have in addition? For example, being dedicated, being a good leader, having good time-management.

I am curious what others have to say.

9 Comments
 

These are mostly things that would make someone good at any job. You can find some similar traits, but traders can be very different personality wise and both be successful... like any other job haha.

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

I know Revsly. But not in every job you have to perform under pressure (which is also a good characteristic) and still have strong characteristics. And I was expecting to get an answer in the form of different personalities.

 

Yeah I know derivstrading that the answer to this question is difficult. Ok, let me rephrase my question to some specific point:

If you are a professional trader at, for example, a bank, is leadership important? Or, in other words, how important is having good leadership skills in the profession of trading or any other profession in the dealing room (excluding mangement, such as portfolio manager)?

 

one thing that doesnt really get mentioned is the ability to be able to form your own opinion and stick with it in an environment where so many people are packed close together (trading floor). Sometimes I feel like opinions are contagious in such an environment.

Concerning the list of cliches you mentioned, as Revsly said, all of those are important for every job.

 
Best Response
derivstradingone thing that doesnt really get mentioned is the ability to be able to form your own opinion and stick with it in an environment where so many people are packed close together (trading floor). Sometimes I feel like opinions are contagious in such an environment.

Concerning the list of cliches you mentioned, as Revsly said, all of those are important for every job.

I think on the same note, being willing to speak up if you disagree with an idea when seemingly everyone else agrees is important.

As far as leadership, it sort of depends. If you just want to be a good trader, I don't think it really matters. But if you want to be the desk head, then sure.

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

thank you derivstrading these are exactly the answers I'm looking for. These are not the most obvious characteristics that cross peoples mind when they think about skills and characteristics that traders must have but which are equally important.

Anybody else have some skills/characteristics to add that doesn't seem like the most obvious ones?

 

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