Learning From Sir Christopher Hohn

In his third year at a New York hedge fund, Christopher Hohn had a huge year — and they paid him a US$10 million bonus. Most people would call that “making it.” He didn’t.

Hohn says he immediately gave it away — set up a foundation and put the money into it. “I didn’t want it… This isn’t really something I should have.” Then look at what he did next.

When he launched his own firm, he didn’t reach for a predator or fortress name — no Tiger, no Viking, no Citadel. He called it The Children’s Investment Fund. The name wasn’t marketing. It was a statement of intent.

Because to Hohn, money is not identity. Maybe that’s easier to see when you’ve...