Why the best investors are 'functional psychopaths'

IT PAYS TO BE A 'FUNCTIONAL PSYCHOPATH'

Economist Joe Roseman reveals the psychological profile of a successful investor.

About a decade ago, the husband of one of my wife’s friends called me one evening. He had heard from his wife that I was “in financial markets” and that I worked at one of the big hedge funds. I had never spoken to the guy before, but he was clearly on a mission. He told me that he had inherited some money and he wanted to invest it. He went on to tell me that he had another friend “in the markets” who had a fantastic penthouse, drove a flashy car and was loaded. His friend, I was told, knew “the secret”. He explained that I also knew “the secret” and he wanted to know it too. He assu...