Ken Griffin on Learning from Extraordinary Colleagues

The latest cohort of Citadel and Citadel Securities interns gathered recently for a fireside chat with Ken Griffin in New York. Moderated by Geoffrey West, a quantitative researcher at Citadel Securities, the discussion offered a candid look at what it takes to excel in finance and build a successful enterprise.

During the conversation, Ken emphasized the importance of selecting the right firm at the outset of one’s career. “The salient differences between Tier 1 firms and other firms are the people that will invest in your career,” Ken said, speaking to the meaningful mentorship and responsibility afforded to those early in their career. “Great firms are going to push you out of your comfort zone to take on really tough challenges that you will grow from,” he added.

Ken urged interns to focus on pursuits that energize them and to quickly pivot if their work no longer sparks enthusiasm. Drawing a parallel to sports, he advised participants to always strive for excellence. “Competing in finance is a bit like being a world-class athlete,” he observed, “If you’re good at tennis, you’re not going to make it to Wimbledon. You have to be great. And then you have to have that extra tenacity, that extra perseverance. You have to put in the extra hours on the court to be the best in the world.”

When asked about staying motivated after early success, Ken emphasized the value of a strong team, encouraging the audience to seek settings where colleagues continually challenge them. “If you’re the smartest person in the room by far, you’re in the wrong room,” he warned. Of his experience at Citadel, Ken added, “I get to go to work and be humbled every day.”

Watch the video below to hear more of Ken’s observations on leadership, team-building and professional growth.