Building a strong investment team is both an art and a science. At Matsya Capital, our team philosophy is rooted in principles that drive us to excel, innovate, and overcome challenges. If I had to start all over again, here are some non-negotiable traits I would look for in every member of the investment team.
Taking Ownership
Ownership is the cornerstone of our team culture. Each member of our team takes full responsibility for their work, decisions, and outcomes. This sense of ownership fosters accountability and drives us to go above and beyond in our roles. When everyone feels a personal stake in the success of the fund, it creates a powerful, cohesive force that propels us forward. I make this my number 1 requirement.
Obsessing over Excellence and Winning
At Matsya Capital, we are obsessed with excellence. This obsession is not just about achieving high returns but about setting and maintaining the highest standards in everything we do across all departments in our fund. From investment analysis and research to execution, we strive for perfection. This relentless pursuit of excellence is what sets teams apart and drives success. Don’t lower your standards.
Treating Work as an Art Form
Investing is both a science and an art. While data and analysis are crucial, intuition and creativity play a significant role. I like to treat my work as an art form, where each investment decision is crafted with care and precision. This artistic approach allows me and my team to see beyond the numbers and identify unique opportunities that others might miss. Investment team members must be able to do this.
Being on a Journey of Self-Understanding and Improvement
Continuous self-improvement is a key tenet of our philosophy. We encourage our team members to embark on a journey of self-understanding and growth. This involves regular reflection, seeking feedback, and learning from both successes and failures. Only those investment team members who seek continuous improvement, will remain dynamic and adaptable. Those who rest on past laurels will fail at being excellent over time.
Taking Risks
Innovation often requires taking risks and exploring untrodden paths. A good investment professional is never afraid to challenge the status quo and venture into new territories. This willingness to take calculated risks is what drives innovation and allows us to stay ahead of the consensus.
Facing and Overcoming Obstacles
The investment landscape is fraught with challenges and obstacles. Our team is trained to face these challenges head-on and find solutions. Whether it’s market volatility, regulatory changes, or economic downturns, we approach each obstacle with resilience and determination. Overcoming these challenges strengthens our team and enhances our ability to deliver consistent results. Team members need to be emotionally strong to do this.
A good investment professional must also be intellectually flexible – able to pivot when the facts change. We discourage emotional attachment to any trade or thesis. The goal is to stay objective, adaptable, and always grounded in the ever-changing reality of markets.
Being Aligned
The strength of an investment team lies not just in individual brilliance, but in collective alignment. It doesn’t mean everyone agrees on everything, but it does mean everyone agrees on what they’re trying to do together and why. This becomes a very critical point especially when you are dealing with multiple market cycles.
At Matsya, we believe that when every team member rows in the same direction, the journey becomes not only more effective but also more fulfilling. At the same time, echo chambers are antithetical to good investing. Rather, what we seek is a unified ethos – a shared lens through which we evaluate opportunities and risks.
Conclusion
Building a strong investment team requires a blend of ownership, excellence, creativity, continuous improvement, risk-taking, and resilience. At Matsya Capital, I have tried to follow these principles when recruiting and training my team. These principles not only shape strong investment teams, but also lay the foundation for resilient, high-performing investment management. By fostering a culture that embodies these values, I believe one can cultivate a team that is not only highly skilled but also deeply committed to the Fund’s mission.
Disclaimer: This blog reflects personal views based on professional experience and is not intended as investment advice.
