Ability? Genius? Luck? If everyone can strike it rich, why haven't they? What separates the people who make the big bucks from everyone else?
Those folks normally end up as a trader that make millions a year to the firm, but only take home a few hundred $K the most. Their manager will bring home a few millions
the next step is going out on your own. it is a well worned path. your boss cheats you or doesn't give you a fair share. every successful trader starts that way.
I assumed he was referring to the characteristics of successful traders, not managers, partners, or other positions, but I could be wrong.
They think they are never wrong and doing the right things. And they find the right solutions in the most hopeless situations. Is not that so?
Aside from the math driven worker bees (that's some gold-showered bees)... Psychosis -OR- Ballz the size of a Volkswagen bus