In this conversation, David M. Solomon, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, shares his insights on leadership and the dynamics of the financial services industry. He emphasizes the importance of speed in client service and discusses his busy executive routine. Solomon highlights the value of authentic leadership and navigating challenges in today’s capital markets. He also explores the vital role of people as core assets in an organization, contrasting this with a reliance on technology and capital. Aspiring CEOs can learn from his experiences and advice on patience and resilience.
Speed and responsiveness are core cultural values in business operations, emphasizing client service.
Leadership requires authenticity and relatability to foster stronger employee connections and enhance organizational culture.
Deep dives
David Sellemann's Approach to Speed and Client Service
David Sellemann emphasizes the importance of speed in business operations and client service. He highlights his commitment to responding to emails personally and promptly, driven by a client service mindset instilled in him at Goldman Sachs. Sellemann believes in being available and responsive to clients, viewing it as a core cultural value at the firm.
David Sellemann's Daily Routine and Focus on Physical Activity
Sellemann starts his day early with exercise, emphasizing the importance of physical activity in his life. He describes his morning routine of working out, followed by quick preparations to arrive at the office by 7:45 AM. Sellemann's day is filled with strategic meetings, client interactions, and varied business-focused activities, maintaining a busy and structured schedule.
Leadership and Long-Term Vision at Goldman Sachs
Sellemann reflects on effective leadership and the importance of guiding an organization towards long-term success. He discusses the transition from a private partnership to a public company at Goldman Sachs and the strategic focus required for sustained growth. Sellemann emphasizes the role of leadership in navigating challenging paths that steer the organization towards a stronger future.
Authenticity and Relatability in Leadership
Sellemann underscores the significance of authenticity and relatability in leadership. He shares how personal interests, like DJing, have made him more approachable to employees and fostered stronger connections. Sellemann's belief in bringing one's authentic self to work resonates with building a more human-centered leadership approach that enhances organizational culture and employee engagement.
In this episode, Nicolai Tangen talks to David Solomon, CEO of Goldman Sachs. They discuss the highly competitive financial services industry and how to attract the best talents and give their view on the equity market. They also discuss culture, leadership, inflation and speed!
The production team on this episode were PLAN-B’s Tor-Erik Humlen and Olav Haraldsen Roen. Background research was done by Sigurd Brekke and Bård Ove Molberg with additional input from our portfolio manager Frederik Thomasen.
This episode was recorded on February 8 2022, before the war between Russia and Ukraine.