Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, shared his core investment philosophy in a recent “Acquired” podcast appearance: “Don’t blow up.” It’s a mantra born from his first stock purchase at age 14 — a move that was quickly followed by a 45% market crash. That early lesson in volatility shaped his lifelong approach to risk. Rather than chase high returns at any cost, Dimon emphasizes avoiding financial ruin, especially during market booms. This thinking underpins JPMorgan’s “fortress balance sheet” strategy, which focuses on high liquidity, conservative capital, and strong reserves. While cautious, Dimon’s philosophy has helped JPMorgan lead through financial crises and stay at the top of global banking. Ultimately, Dimon’s message is clear: success comes not just from making big bets—but from surviving bad ones. His advice? Be disciplined, manage risk carefully, and play the long game.