Roman Sledziejowski’s Leadership at Savant Strategies: Guiding His Team to Achievement

Global entrepreneur Roman Sledziejowski serves as vice chairman of Savant Strategies, a firm he co-founded in 2013. Focused on delivering quality over quantity, Savant Strategies provides value-driven services to a select clientele, ensuring exceptional consulting experiences.

Sledziejowski highlights three core values he seeks in his professional life: fulfillment, growth, and impact.

“First and foremost, I need to feel fulfilled in whatever job I am doing,” he explained. “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 Approach to Leadership

Sledziejowski thinks his peers would characterize him as steadfast and determined.

“I was always unconditionally committed to my work,” he shared in a recent 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 unwavering commitment and determination have garnered him the respect and admiration of his peers, solidifying his image as a dependable and ambitious professional. Sledziejowski credits his resilience, patience, and composure in challenging situations as his most significant strengths. These traits have played a crucial role in helping him maneuver through various phases of his life, particularly during times of considerable adversity.

“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 Career

Roman Sledziejowski is an accomplished investment expert and entrepreneur recognized for his leadership across various financial and real estate sectors. His professional journey began at Prudential Securities in New York City, where he swiftly advanced to the role of Vice President of Investments in 2002 and subsequently became the First Vice President of Investments in 2004. By the age of 25, he had attained the position of Senior Vice President and Investment Officer at Wachovia Securities, then one of the largest investment firms in the U.S.

While at Wachovia, Roman delved into real estate investment, overseeing the acquisition and redevelopment of nearly 400 residential units from 2004 to 2009. In 2006, he established Innovest Holdings, a financial holding company with subsidiaries focused on broker-dealer services, online investing, real estate, and offshore investment advisory.

In 2007, he co-founded MyPlace Development, a real estate development firm based in Poznan, Poland. Roman exhibited remarkable resilience and strategic acumen during the financial turmoil of the 2008 crisis.

In 2013, he co-founded Savant Strategies, an international management consulting firm. After a personal leave of absence in 2016, he rejoined the firm in 2021 as Vice Chairman. Under his guidance, Savant Strategies has broadened its client portfolio, diversified its service offerings, and achieved notable revenue growth, thanks in large part to his strategic vision and capacity to inspire his team.

From Poland to the United States

Roman Sledziejowski’s journey began in Poland, eventually leading him to New York City, where his enthusiasm for investing and finance flourished. With an initial investment of just $800, he started trading stocks on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, remarkably growing that sum to $18,000 within three years. While his high school classmates were preoccupied with social events, Roman immersed himself in stock market trends and held a part-time position at Salomon Smith Barney, part of Travelers Group.

He continued his education at Columbia University, majoring in Economics, all while juggling a full-time role at Smith Barney. At just 18, he became the youngest licensed stockbroker in the U.S., overseeing more than $40 million in assets before reaching the age of 21. These early accomplishments laid the foundation for a remarkable career in the financial sector.

Sledziejowski is recognized for his capacity to lead by example, fostering trust and confidence within his teams while effectively 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 Challenges and the Art of Persuasion: Insights from Roman Sledziejowski

In a recent interview, Roman Sledziejowski shared his experiences with the major hurdles he’s encountered throughout his career, along with the strategies he employed to navigate these obstacles.

Reflecting on a recent challenge at work, Roman remarked, “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.”

In discussing the art of persuasion, Roman highlights the importance of logic and concrete evidence. “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.”

Roman’s journey underscores his ability to bounce back and adjust in challenging situations, along with his dedication to clear and rational communication as a means of successful persuasion.

Mastering the Art of Delegation: Roman Sledziejowski’s Insights

Sledziejowski recalls a moment when he effectively delegated a crucial task, highlighting his skill in efficiently managing 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 talent for identifying and harnessing the strengths of his junior team members showcases his strategic leadership and trust in their abilities.

Looking Ahead: Roman Sledziejowski’s Vision

As Roman Sledziejowski progresses in his career, his steadfast dedication to resilience, strategic insight, and impactful leadership continues to shape his professional path. His knack for navigating intricate challenges, delegating important tasks, and motivating his team has established him as a prominent figure in the financial and consulting sectors. With a well-defined vision and unwavering commitment to excellence, Roman is set to propel innovation and success, steering Savant Strategies and its clients toward a thriving future.