If you’re leading a financial institution that’s worth billions of dollars and spread across the world, it’s important to carefully curate the information you receive.
Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase, recently offered a glimpse into his morning routine, revealing a rigorous news consumption habit designed to keep him informed about global affairs and financial markets. His detailed account not only lists the publications he reads but also the specific sections and the order in which he reads them, offering an intriguing insight into the mind of one of the world’s most powerful bankers.
“I wake up at 4:30 or 5 in the morning,” Dimon explained. “I read five papers in a very specific form. I flick through the Washington Post, because everyone else does it. I read the front page of The Washington Post, any story that I find very interesting, and the business section which is very good now, and the editorials. I think there are some very smart people writing the editorials there.”
He continued, “Then I read The New York Times foreign section, beginning to end, all of it, whether I like what they’re saying or not. I read their business section, which isn’t so great. Then I read The Wall Street Journal front section, Exchange, and then the Financial Times.”
Explaining his rationale for leaving the Financial Times for last, Dimon said, “The reason I do the Financial Times last is because all the other ones are very much US-centric and, you know, we operate in other countries too. The FT gives you a better view, like The Economist. I read The Economist every weekend, it [covers] what’s going on in Pakistan, and India, and the UK, and the Middle East, and China. It’s just unbelievably well done. The FT covers all that ground too, so I love it.”
Dimon’s selection of publications reflects a desire for comprehensive coverage. He balances the political insights of The Washington Post with the market focus of The Wall Street Journal, supplementing both with the international perspective of the FT and The Economist. His specific mention of the Post’s editorials suggests a focus on understanding different opinions and engaging with complex ideas. The fact that he reads the New York Times foreign section cover-to-cover, regardless of his agreement with the content, underscores a commitment to staying informed about global events, even those presented through a lens he may not entirely share.
In a world increasingly interconnected and volatile, Dimon’s emphasis on global awareness provides a valuable lesson. His routine highlights the importance of consuming diverse news sources — even those he might not agree with — for those in positions of leadership. By seeking out international perspectives and engaging with a range of viewpoints, Dimon models a strategy for staying ahead of the curve and making informed decisions in a complex global landscape. His dedication to this routine, beginning before most people are even awake, speaks volumes about the importance he places on information as a tool for effective leadership.