# Temperament and Success By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-07-23 Warren Buffett explained that being a good investor comes down to temperament rather than intelligence. Buffett identified two elements helping one invest: calmness and the ability to not be “in the pack” or against it. Reflecting on these aspects, they are also useful professionally. The desire to be always in the group or against it can produce bias. The idea is not to prefer between the two but to follow the data or information to the most correct position. If it happens to be the dominant opinion, the contrary position, or one adjacent to the main discussion, so be it. Success is often easier when one removes one’s ego from the consideration. This is easier said than done. Calmness helps in this regard. One has a strategic advantage if one can remain calm as other people are not. People will start listening to the calm person. Exuding calmness in crisis is comforting. It facilitates thinking. Intelligence and education matter. Temperament does too. Reflecting on one’s temperament can help one understand where and when one can be most effective. Different situations call for different temperaments. Part of success is understanding what one has to offer. #### Related Items [[Temperament]] [[Success]] [[Decision-making]] [[Cognitive Biases]] [[Society]] [[Thinking]]