This paper investigates the relationship between managerial attitudes and corporate actions, focusing on U.S. and non-U.S. CEOs and their characteristics. Using psychometric tests, the study finds that U.S. CEOs differ significantly from non-U.S. CEOs in terms of attitudes, with U.S. CEOs being more optimistic and risk-tolerant than the general population. The study also finds that CEO traits such as risk aversion and time preference are related to their compensation. The research compares the personality traits of CEOs to those of CFOs and the general population, finding that CEOs are more optimistic and risk-tolerant than both. It also finds that U.S. CEOs are more optimistic than non-U.S. CEOs. The study further examines how CEO traits relate to corporate decisions, such as capital structure and acquisition activity. It finds that more risk-tolerant CEOs are more likely to initiate mergers and acquisitions, and that optimistic CEOs are more likely to use short-term debt. The study also finds that CEOs with higher time preference (i.e., more impatient) are more likely to be compensated with salary rather than performance-based compensation. The research highlights the importance of personality traits in corporate decision-making and suggests that these traits can influence corporate policies and compensation structures. The study also notes that the relationship between CEO characteristics and corporate actions is not always causal, as it is possible that companies may hire managers with certain traits that align with their needs. The study uses a survey-based approach to gather data on CEO attitudes and characteristics, allowing for a more detailed analysis of corporate decisions than traditional empirical methods. The survey includes questions on risk aversion, optimism, time preference, and other behavioral traits. The results suggest that CEO personality traits play a significant role in corporate decisions and that these traits can influence corporate policies and compensation structures. The study also finds that CEOs are more likely to be risk-tolerant and optimistic than the general population, which may explain differences in corporate behavior across countries.This paper investigates the relationship between managerial attitudes and corporate actions, focusing on U.S. and non-U.S. CEOs and their characteristics. Using psychometric tests, the study finds that U.S. CEOs differ significantly from non-U.S. CEOs in terms of attitudes, with U.S. CEOs being more optimistic and risk-tolerant than the general population. The study also finds that CEO traits such as risk aversion and time preference are related to their compensation. The research compares the personality traits of CEOs to those of CFOs and the general population, finding that CEOs are more optimistic and risk-tolerant than both. It also finds that U.S. CEOs are more optimistic than non-U.S. CEOs. The study further examines how CEO traits relate to corporate decisions, such as capital structure and acquisition activity. It finds that more risk-tolerant CEOs are more likely to initiate mergers and acquisitions, and that optimistic CEOs are more likely to use short-term debt. The study also finds that CEOs with higher time preference (i.e., more impatient) are more likely to be compensated with salary rather than performance-based compensation. The research highlights the importance of personality traits in corporate decision-making and suggests that these traits can influence corporate policies and compensation structures. The study also notes that the relationship between CEO characteristics and corporate actions is not always causal, as it is possible that companies may hire managers with certain traits that align with their needs. The study uses a survey-based approach to gather data on CEO attitudes and characteristics, allowing for a more detailed analysis of corporate decisions than traditional empirical methods. The survey includes questions on risk aversion, optimism, time preference, and other behavioral traits. The results suggest that CEO personality traits play a significant role in corporate decisions and that these traits can influence corporate policies and compensation structures. The study also finds that CEOs are more likely to be risk-tolerant and optimistic than the general population, which may explain differences in corporate behavior across countries.