Trust your gut

Going back to work after the birth of my first daughter was a wild experience.

I needed to get out of the house and away from my colicky daughter, Alexandra.

I also knew if I wasn’t at my desk at a hedge fund, I couldn’t make money by pitching investment ideas to my boss.

I arrived back at work after 7 weeks of maternity leave.

The guys were grossed out with the refrigerated breastmilk I pumped at work, but I didn't care.

But when I saw our position sheet (the stocks we owned), I was shocked and pissed off.

My boss had invested aggressively in a new colleague’s stock picks which meant if the colleague’s stock picks went up a lot, he was personally going to get a huge bonus.

I did something out of character.

I measured myself against him…

This guy wasn’t smarter than me, he wasn’t more experienced than me.

How was I going to get my boss to go big and invest a lot of money in metals and mining companies, which was a hot sector 15 years ago like it is today…

I imitated my colleague’s pitch style.

He was aggressive, so I was aggressive.

I also trusted my gut.

I charged into my boss’s office and debated we should have larger positions in aluminum, copper companies back in 2007.

I supported my arguments with a lot of numbers so I got more confident when I pitched my investment ideas.

It worked. My boss sized up my positions.

When Alcan was purchased by Rio Tinto, and when Phelps Dodge was acquired by Freeport we earned a huge return for our investors, and I received a huge bonus that year.

Having a baby, imitating a different work style, doing the rigorous analysis, made me into a tiger mom and want to hunt for ideas and bring home the bacon.

It was the best year of my life.

Confidence is something that holds women and investors back.

If you don’t have it, you don’t have to fake it until you make it, as so many people do.

Instead, do what HBS professor Amy Cuddy, author of the book, Presence says, “fake it until you become it”

Get confident by doing the work, then get aggressive and go after it - show off your kill.

Just like a cat does when she kills a mouse.

I wasn't confident about this stock market back in January, did the analysis, trusted my gut, and managed my client portfolios accordingly. Appreciate I have the experience of investing in metals, mining and energy back 10 - 15 years ago!

If you are not sure about how your portfolio is positioned in this volatile environment, email me.

Tiffany Kent,

Your Friendly Wealth Engagement Guide

Wealth Engagement

3715 Northside Pkwy NW

Building 100 - Suite 500

Atlanta, GA 30327

Office: (404) 795 - 6124 / (917) 826 - 5955

Email: tiffany@wealthengagement.com

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice, or an offer to buy or sell any security.