Behind the Memo: The Indispensability of Risk with Howard Marks, Bruce Karsh, and Maurice Ashley
Jul 23, 2024
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Oaktree cofounder Bruce Karsh and chess Grandmaster Maurice Ashley join Howard Marks in a discussion about risk and decision-making, drawing parallels between chess and investing. They explore the importance of taking risks, making sacrifices, embracing uncertainty, and learning from failures on the journey to success.
Taking risks is essential in decision-making, lack of risk can be riskiest.
Success involves embracing challenges, setbacks, and personal growth.
Developing situational awareness is critical for making well-thought-out decisions.
Deep dives
The Importance of Sacrifice in Chess and Investing
Sacrifice is a crucial aspect in chess, where giving away valuable pieces strategically is essential. This concept resonates in investing as 'risk-bearing,' where decisions involve potential loss for possible gains. Understanding that uncertainty defines sacrifices compels individuals to take calculated risks for favorable outcomes.
Risk-Taking and Chances in Decision-Making
Taking risks and embracing uncertainty are key components in successful decision-making. In both chess and investing, the willingness to face potential losses and the acceptance of uncertain outcomes are fundamental. Maurice emphasizes that success is not just about the destination but the growth and lessons learned along the journey.
The Value of Situational Awareness and Presence
Being present and developing situational awareness is critical in chess and investing. Maurice highlights the importance of focusing on current decisions rather than solely planning ahead, a skill honed through chess. This mindfulness allows individuals to make well-thought-out decisions in the moment, essential for success.
The Journey of Success and Embracing Setbacks
Achieving success involves embracing challenges, setbacks, and losses, as they contribute significantly to personal growth. Maurice emphasizes that the process of taking risks and sacrifices along the path to success adds value to the eventual outcomes. It is about developing resilience, courage, and the ability to navigate uncertainties effectively.
Disclaimer on Educational and Informational Content
The podcast episode delivers educational and informational content to enhance understanding of risk, sacrifice, and decision-making in chess and investing. Listeners are reminded that outcomes are not always predictable and that personal growth through challenges is a valuable aspect of the journey toward success. The content provided does not constitute investment advice or offer to buy/sell financial instruments.
In this episode of Behind the Memo, Howard Marks is joined by two special guests: Oaktree cofounder Bruce Karsh and the chess Grandmaster Maurice Ashley. In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss Howard’s recent memo "The Indispensability of Risk" as well as the inspiration for that memo: Maurice’s Wall Street Journal article, "Chess Teaches the Power of Sacrifice." They consider the many parallels between chess and investing, including the lesson that not taking enough risk may be one of the riskiest strategies of all.
You can read the memo here (https://www.oaktreecapital.com/docs/default-source/memos/the-indispensability-of-risk.pdf?sfvrsn=52b45666_3).
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