Kweku Adoboli’s (adoboli) Perception

Kweku Adoboli’s (Adoboli) perception

There are several perceptions observed in Adoboli that displays his view of the situation and his personal character. First of all, he seems to believe that he is a victim of whatever machinations happened to get him where he was. Though he admits guilt when pressed, he still finds a way of blaming the bank, prosecutors and others for what he was going through. Though he served time, he does not want to be addressed as a criminal. There is an apparent disconnect between reality and Adoboli’s perception. He is trying very hard to play the victim card, and he probably hopes it will work. He too perceives his actions were driven by anything other than greed. When the host puts it to him that he was greedy, he appears to balk. (Ariely, 2008) calls this the ‘context of our character.' Adoboli does not see what he did in the same context of thief or robbery. That is why he is so opposed to being called a criminal and labeled greedy. To him, his white-collar crime does not deserve the harsh words presented by the media and the prosecution. He also focused on the bank and its eco-system of profit pressures and did not seem to care the losses did have an effect on people at a personal level.

Leadership qualities

One aspect that he excelled in as far as leadership is concerned is getting people to follow him. Even now, he apparently seems himself as a leader. He was able to do that primarily by being an excellent communicator and setting an example. Leaders need to have the capacity to communicate their visions and convince people of their capabilities (Kahneman, 2011). Adoboli is a great leader, and he knows that very well. He is confident in who he is and still sees the potential of changing the narrative about him. The question is whether he used his leadership capabilities for good or evil.

Apart from communication, one can also be a leader by dominating others. Humans will usually follow those they deem most capable. That is why in the military the officers undergo tougher training than the enlisted; they need to be dominant to command. Adoboli was a leader in this manner. He made it appear as if he was making more money than anyone else and that he was the most adept trader at the bank. The others looked up to him. He still sees himself as better than those with whom he worked and thus a leader.

Behavioral bias

Adoboli had a case of ‘Gambler’s Fallacy’ which is cognitive bias (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974). It is a behavioral bias that told him that since the market was still rising, he had the time to get resources and correct the books. Since he began working at the bank, he has seen the market going in only one direction; up. He