Challenging the Incumbent

I'm sure many of you have had discussions with your friends about your favorite movies of all time. It's one of those questions you could answer differently one day to the next. But for me there has always been a clear number one: The Good The Bad and The Ugly. I love this movie for many reasons. First, the cinematography is incredible and way ahead of its time. Second, I love that the story builds slowly and with limited/carefully chosen dialogue -- it's the slow progression of the story that ultimately creates the suspense and tension. Third, the actors and acting is incredible -- the gamesmanship between Clint Eastwood and Eli Wallach is timeless. Finally, the soundtrack fits the movie perfectly.

Working on Wall St. is a mixed bag -- it's fun but it can also wear on you. You get inside perspective on the game but the emotional highs and lows can drive you a bit crazy and challenge your interest level. However, one thing that seems to be a constant for me is a fascination for the major players that shape the game. I read a great book recently, King of the Club, which tells the story of Dick Grasso's rise to the top of the NYSE. I've pretty much seen every angle of Wall St. (investment banking, sell side research, buy side/asset management) and now the sheen is clearly off for me -- nothing or noone seems larger than life anymore. I've achieved everything I want to achieve in terms of challenges. Reading this book has been an incredible experience bc it makes you realize the power players on Wall St. aren't any smarter than you or me -- they're just human beings with tremendous egos. You think they do things for the good of the markets and investors, etc...but in reality it's only for their self-interest and egos. The tricky part of capitalism is it's built on the individual's desire to get rich/ahead which creates competition, innovation and should move everyone's standard of living forward in the process. In short, the system is driven by greed -- but greed is tricky bc it can push you dangerously close to the line of integrity and in most instances over it. The Grass book really makes you think about the balance of individual greed and what's good for the overall system.

The movie Wall St. has always been lurking in the shadows at number two. One key to being a great movie is passing the test of time, which Wall St. is doing with flying colors. Reading The King of the Club has started me thinking more about the movie and how impactful it really is. How it really captures the essence of Wall St. Of course there's some sensationalism, etc...but it gives as good an inside perspective as I've ever seen.

The challenge is now on. I'm going to watch The Good The Bad and The Ugly and Wall St. as many times as I need to make a decision on which movie will be number one. I may even do individual posts on each one. The best part of the challenge is that it is really a tribute to each movie as in the end, they are both about gamesmanship and the fact that only the strong survive.