In trading, we prize rational, mechanical thinking. We try to minimize emotion wherever possible — following systems and rules with robotic discipline to reduce errors and maximize returns.
That works for some.
But is it the ideal?
This weekend, I surrounded myself with artists. And it was amazing.
Every summer, I volunteer at a local music festival in the mountain town I now call home, shuttling musicians and crew between hotels and the venue. Among other things, it gives me access to conversations with people who see and experience the world in ways that couldn’t be more different from my own.
One thing struck me profoundly this year: the raw emotion that fuels great art. This weekend’s music and conversations spanned the full spectrum of the human experience — glee, joy, sadness, heartbreak, alienation, judgment, love, lust, work, and survival.
I know it’s no revelation that emotions create great music, but this year it felt sharper, more present. Maybe the art was more raw. Maybe I was more open to it? Probably both.
The most memorable moment? A musician in his 60s, alone on stage — just him, an acoustic guitar, and a microphone. My first thought: This might be boring.
It wasn’t.
Steve Poltz, with nothing but wit, wisdom, humor, humility, and masterful guitar skills, completely transported the audience. And then, in the final moments of his set, he did something magical.
He grabbed a cordless mic from the confused and unprepared stagehands, left the stage, walked into the crowd, asked everyone to circle around, and led 5,000+ people in a tender, communal singalong of the Grateful Dead’s Ripple. On the 30th anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s death, no less.
When it was over, I cried. I'm not ashamed to admit it. So did most of the people around me. You had to be there. No video can possibly fully capture it.
The next day, in between runs shuttling the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band around, I found myself in the artist’s green room, chatting with Steve. It left me convinced there’s hope for all of us who are striving to become the best versions of ourselves.
I came out of the weekend inspired — with what feels like a call-to-arms to incorporate more feeling and emotion into what I do.
In trading, we like to think emotions are the enemy. But they can be signal, not just noise. If I can tap into that more in my trading and my communication with all of you, I think we’ll all be better off.
So where can we soften? Where can we allow more feeling into our trading and our daily lives?
I believe there’s gold there — for those willing to dig.
Sean McLaughlin | Chief Options Strategist, All Star Charts