Bill Ackman Is Saying This Because He Cares: Just Because They Make Pants With 52-Inch Waists Doesn't Mean You Need To Aspire To Wear Them
As has been discussed at length in the past, should hedge fund manager Bill Ackman ever decide to take up a new line of work, he would no doubt have a bright future hosting a guerrilla-style makeover show wherein he and a sidekick drive around in a van looking for people who could benefit from his discerning eye and then ambush them on the street and weigh in on what's wrong with their [choose all that apply: bangs/clothes/arms/ass/life in general].1 Although not classically trained, the Pershing Square founder has years of experience, dating all the way back to his days as a Harvard Business School student, when fellow classmates were asked if streetwalker was the look they were going for.
One money manager said Mr. Ackman was a trustworthy and loyal friend, but also “an acquired taste” because of his tendency to speak very directly where others might tread gingerly—or not at all. When Mr. Ackman was a student at Harvard Business School, the friend recalled, he took it upon himself to tell at least one woman she was overly made up. The delivery: “You know, I’m just saying this because I have your best interests at heart, but you have too much makeup on.”
Those who can get past the bluntness to see that Ackman's constructive criticism comes from a place of love ultimately benefit from his counsel. According to one testimonial:
...that honesty can be for the good, said Stephen Fraidin, a partner at Kirkland & Ellis who sits on the advisory board of Mr. Ackman’s firm. Awhile back, he recalled, Mr. Ackman said to him, “You’re old, you’re fat and you’re invaluable, and I want you to lose weight.”
“And I was old and fat and, hopefully invaluable,” said Mr. Fraidin, who has known Mr. Ackman for decades, “and now I’m 60 pounds lighter.”
Bill Ackman: ‘I Don’t Need to Be Loved by Everyone’ [Deal Journal]
Related: Bill Ackman Will Get Rid Of Your Gut, Set You Up With Your Wife, Beat Your Ass On The Rowing Machine
1.Web extras would include 30 second mini-makeovers involving Bill giving people the name of a good nutritionist and trainer, plus a quick (but MUCH NEEDED) trim with the shearing scissors he keeps on his utility belt 'all before the light changes.'
