What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence

by Stephen A. Schwarzman

I also resolved that I would never talk to just the lead partner on any potential investment. If I had detailed questions, I would call the most junior person, the one working the spreadsheets and closest to the numbers. If I had done that on Edgcomb, I might have heard from the analyst who hated the deal. Breaking through the hierarchy would allow me to get to know the junior people at the firm and get a different read. The risk may not be obvious on paper, but it came through in the analysts’ tone of voice when I asked them, “Just walk me through this deal from your perspective.” You could hear if they liked it or felt anxious. Psychology would be one of my strengths as an investor. I didn’t need to remember each number in an analysis. I could watch and hear the people who knew the specifics and tell how they felt from their posture or tone of voice.