Appreciate What Everyone Brings to the Group, With Sara Naison-Tarajano

Sara Naison-Tarajano, Goldman Sachs partner and global head of Private Wealth Management Capital Markets and Goldman Sachs Apex, has fostered a dynamic 25-year career at the firm. Most recently, she helped create and name Goldman Sachs Apex, a dedicated family office with small teams that offer wealth-planning services to client family offices. Naison-Tarajano notes family offices have become an increasingly powerful force within asset management. Based on a recent report surveying the impact of family offices, 70% of respondents have a net worth of around $1 billion and more than 90% have in-house investment management capabilities.  

Naison-Tarajano recently shared her advice and insights around leadership, excellence, and personal connections.

Focus on relationship longevity. Even though the primary aspects of my job are technical, so much of it is about nurturing relationships and developing trust and familiarity with my clients. Ideally, relationships, including business ones, should grow deeper, richer, and more complex over time.

Create cohesion by valuing people: One of the things I’ve learned in my career is to value people – to appreciate what each person brings to the greater group and listen to their ideas, concerns, and objectives. When everyone feels included and valued, it creates a more cohesive environment, as people feel committed to the greater goals of the organization. It’s a source of pride to observe your team members respecting, trusting, and valuing one another’s feedback and strengths to enhance the functionality of the group.  

Use the 7:1 rule for feedback. To bring out the best in your team, sometimes you will need to deliver difficult feedback and have challenging conversations. I find the best approach is to apply the 7:1 rule – sharing seven pieces of feedback on what that person is doing well, and one piece of feedback on what they need to improve. By leading with the positive, your team members know you see them, value their input and contributions, and care. Ultimately, you unlock the best in people when they know you are rooting for them.    

Bring your authentic self to work. When you learn to bring your authentic self to work, you form connections that go beyond projects and to-do lists. Approach every interaction looking for the best in people and show people you acknowledge them. Remember that you never know where your paths might cross in the future.   

Have fun. The secret to success and longevity is finding joy in what you do and with the people you collaborate with.