INSIGHTS INTO THE MINDSET OF SUPER TRADERS – Part 7

“I appreciate the opportunity to manage money for others. A lot of people don’t enjoy it, but I do.”– Mike Melissinos

Name: Sam Zell

Date of Birth: September 27, 1941

Nationality: American

Occupation: Business magnate, investor and philanthropist

Career

Sam’s parents were Jewish immigrants who left Poland to settle in the States before the outbreak of the World War II. Sam was born in Chicago and he attended Highland Park High School in Highland Park, Illinois. He obtained a BA from the University of Michigan and later, he obtained a JD (Juris Doctor) from the University of Michigan Law School.

In 1967, Sam founded Equity Group Investments. Bob Lurie Robert H. Lurie joined him and they worked together to transform the firm into a vast business empire. Lurie died in 1990, but the business continues to grow and grow and grow. One source confirms that the majority of Sam Zell’s investment portfolio ranges across industries such as energy, logistics, communications and transportation, but he is often best known for his pioneering role and stewardship in creating the modern commercial real estate industry. Moreover, EGI’s holdings also include fixed-income investments in public and private companies.

Sam is involved in various international and local causes, donating generously to them, including education. He’s blessed with 3 children.

As of January 2015, Sam was worth about $4,900,000,000.

Insights:

1.      Good traders and investors are able to tackle the uncertainties in the markets, solving the problems of the unpredictable nature of the markets in simple ways. That’s the secret of our ongoing success. We make complex problems (that put off people from the markets) look simple. We simplify these problems and come with simple solutions. That’s exactly what Sam has been doing in decades – unraveling the mystery of various markets and amassing huge wealth by doing so.

2.      There’s one though-provoking quote on Egizell.com, which says: “Solid business strategy is not anchored in suit, or a tie. It comes from the gut. Corporate culture can’t be dictated. It comes from the soul. A great company comes from the heart.” How true is it!

3.      The qualities of a good trader aren’t measured by her/his attitude when things are right, when things are fine, and during winning streaks; but when the road is rough, tough and during losing streaks.

Conclusion: Winning strategies are the ones that go contrary to the expectation of the public, and that’s why it takes serious discipline to follow such strategies. We want to follow good strategies when they work and when they don’t work.

This article is concluded by a quote from Sam:

“The reality is that I need to be challenged and interested, as long as the risk and reward is in line.”

Further reading: Advfnbooks.com