Can rookies think themselves into becoming better traders?

I was talking to a friend today about training some new firm traders. He thinks he is having a hard time in making sure these new traders understand the basics properly before sending them over to their floor manager. I asked why. After all, he is well experienced in training new traders.

The shocking answer is that this batch of rookies are not the usual aggressive type who think they are ready for anything with no understanding whatsoever they are going to face. This time, I was told that it is the exact opposite. These new traders wanted their jobs badly and they are risk-averse. My friend thinks that they properly will not perform well and be kicked out soon.

This reminded me of a short presentation at TED called Your body language shapes who you are by Amy Cuddy. It is a short presentation on the fact that by changing a person’s posture can temporarily change what is going on in the mind of the person.

Here is the video below,

I told my friend to watch this video. After watching this video, he said this is exactly what he sensed from these new traders – insecurity, fear, etc.

Maybe, what Ms. Cuddy suggests in the video would help?

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