Roman Sledziejowski, a global business leader, serves as Vice Chairman of Savant Strategies, a firm he co-founded in 2013. Committed to the philosophy of quality over quantity, Savant Strategies delivers high-value consulting services to a select clientele, ensuring exceptional results.
For Sledziejowski, the essence of a rewarding career hinges on three core values: fulfillment, growth, and impact.
“First and foremost, I need to feel fulfilled in whatever job I am doing,” he said. “I also need to grow both professionally and personally as a result. It is essential that my work has a meaningful impact on the organization and that my efforts are both appreciated and appropriately rewarded.”
Roman Sledziejowski on His Leadership Approach
Roman Sledziejowski believes his colleagues would describe him as unwaveringly dedicated and resolute in his leadership style.
“I was always unconditionally committed to my work,” he said in an interview. “Once a well-thought-out decision was made and a corresponding strategy determined, there was never any doubt in my mind about the course of action. I consistently stood my ground when it came to executing a plan, regardless of the challenges faced along the way.”
His dedication and steadfast approach have garnered him the respect and admiration of his peers, reinforcing his reputation as a dependable and driven leader. Sledziejowski attributes his success to his resilience, patience, and ability to remain calm under pressure. These traits have been crucial in navigating various challenges throughout his career.
“I am a rather calm person in general and rarely allow my emotions to get the upper hand,” Sledziejowski says, “however when I am confronted with adversity, my ability to think clearly and calmly rises to a whole different level. It is a rather unique quality that I possess and helped me tremendously at various points in my life.”
Roman Sledziejowski – Background and Profession
Roman Sledziejowski is a distinguished figure in the world of finance and real estate, recognized for his dynamic leadership across multiple ventures. His career took off at Prudential Securities in New York City, where he swiftly advanced to Vice President of Investments by 2002 and then to First Vice President of Investments by 2004. By the age of 25, he achieved the position of Senior Vice President and Investment Officer at Wachovia Securities, then the third-largest investment firm in the U.S.
While at Wachovia Securities, Roman expanded his horizons into real estate investing, overseeing the acquisition and redevelopment of nearly 400 residential units between 2004 and 2009. In 2006, he established Innovest Holdings, a financial holding company with diverse subsidiaries specializing in broker-dealer services, online investing, real estate investment, and offshore investment advisory.
In 2007, Roman Sledziejowski co-established MyPlace Development, a real estate firm based in Poznan, Poland. His resilience and strategic acumen shone through as he navigated the financial turbulence of the 2008 crisis.
By 2013, Roman co-founded Savant Strategies, a global management consulting firm. After a personal hiatus in 2016, he rejoined Savant Strategies in 2021 as Vice Chairman. His return marked a period of notable expansion for the firm, with an expanded client roster, a broadened range of services, and impressive revenue growth. Roman’s forward-thinking leadership and his ability to energize and guide his team have been pivotal in driving the firm’s achievements.
From Poland to the United States
Roman Sledziejowski’s journey began in Poland and took him to New York City, where his passion for finance and investing ignited. With an initial investment of just $800 in the Warsaw Stock Exchange, he astonishingly grew it to $18,000 in just three years. While his high school peers were immersed in social life, Roman was engrossed in stock tickers and gaining experience through a part-time role at Salomon Smith Barney, a division of Travelers Group.
While studying Economics at Columbia University, Roman balanced his academics with a full-time position at Smith Barney. At the age of 18, he achieved a significant milestone by becoming the youngest licensed stockbroker in the U.S., managing over $40 million in assets before reaching 21. These early accomplishments laid the groundwork for a notable career in the financial sector.
Roman is celebrated for his exemplary leadership, his ability to cultivate trust and confidence within his teams, and his skill in guiding organizations through both crises and periods of growth.
“I was fortunate enough to work with some exceptional people during my lifetime,” Sledziejowski said. “Most memorably, I once was part of a start-up technology venture working alongside a brilliant entrepreneur from South Africa who, in years that followed, went ahead to create multiple extremely successful businesses in various fields. What made the relationship special was that we practically understood each other without words. During meetings, a brief look at each other was sufficient to understand what the other was thinking and arrive at almost identical solutions to any discussed issue. He was, however, a vastly superior leader compared to me, and I had learned a lot from his brilliant skill of getting people around him to follow his lead nearly unconditionally in the direction crucial to the development of the enterprise.”
Overcoming Obstacles and Mastering Persuasion: Roman Sledziejowski’s Reflections
In a recent discussion, Roman Sledziejowski shared his experiences with major career setbacks and the tactics he employed to overcome them.
Reflecting on a recent professional setback, Roman Sledziejowski recounts, “The longer that I live, the more of such situations I gather under my belt along the way. Fairly recently, I grossly misjudged both the business potential and acumen of its management team in a project with which we are deeply involved as management consultants. I became so enchanted with the prospects for the project that I delved much deeper into the project than usual, introducing trusted personal connections to assist with the development of the venture and its path to success. Unfortunately, the project ended up being a failure for a number of reasons, primarily due to the lack of experience of the management team and the irresponsible decision-making practices. It was all a great personal disappointment for me, especially after becoming so involved.”
Roman Sledziejowski underscores the importance of logic and concrete facts in persuasion. “I’ve always believed that logic and hard facts are the best friends of persuasive rhetoric. As long as the person on the other side is reasonable, it’s not difficult to persuade them to see things your way, provided that what you’re presenting is logical and reasonable. The only time I’ve faced challenges in this matter was when dealing with completely unreasonable people on the other end of the table.”
His experiences reflect his resilience and adaptability when confronted with setbacks and his dedication to using clear, logical communication as a key strategy in effective persuasion.
Roman Sledziejowski’s Approach to Effective Task Delegation
Sledziejowski recalls a notable instance where he adeptly assigned a crucial task, demonstrating his proficiency in managing and streamlining his team’s workload.
“In our line of work, we often face a tremendous workload that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. When this occurs, it is paramount to efficiently delegate tasks, from the most basic to the most crucial,” Roman explains. “I remember one instance when four of our largest clients were finalizing absolutely crucial transactions for the future of their organizations. This situation precipitated the need to assign some absolutely crucial tasks, normally handled by senior partners of the firm, to junior team members. This was done with great hesitancy from upper management, but there was no way to get the work done. In the end, not only did the junior team live up to the task, but they also did such an outstanding job that several received meaningful promotions within the organization immediately after.”
Roman’s experience underscores his adeptness at leveraging the potential of his junior staff, showcasing his strategic leadership and trust in his team’s abilities.
Charting the Future: Roman Sledziejowski’s Vision
As Roman Sledziejowski progresses in his career, his steadfast commitment to resilience, strategic insight, and effective leadership continues to define his professional path. His adeptness at overcoming intricate challenges, strategically delegating responsibilities, and motivating his team has cemented his standing as a prominent leader in the financial and consulting sectors. With a well-defined vision and an unwavering dedication to excellence, Roman is set to spearhead further innovation and success, steering Savant Strategies and its clients toward a thriving future.