ThePanelist.com - Is Testosterone Bad for Traders?

Is Testosterone Bad for Traders?

Written by David Neubert

Tuesday, 15 April 2008

Zubin Jelveh at Portfolio.com combines research on the disadvantages of testosterone in traders. He goes as far as to suggest that traders take female hormones to become better risk managers. It looks like he's never been a trader.

I, for one, can attest to all the disadvantages of testosterone in my life. Premature baldness, extreme aggressiveness, attraction to competition and likely and early death are all things I worry about in relation to my overproduction of testosterone.

However, testosterone has some advantages. Studies have shown that women are more attracted to men who's faces have developed in a body awashed in testosterone. Testosterone leads to individuality and stamina.

One thing Zubin forgets is that testosterone also leads to more risk-taking behavior. In my career as a trader and manager of traders, I always found it harder to find smart people willing to take risks than than to avoid it. Perhaps what the markets need are people smart enough to understand the environment but willing to take personal and competitive risks to stand out from the crowd.

I think what we really need is balance. That is why every testosterone-driven, risk-loving trader needs an even handed risk-averse manager. Every yin needs a yang.