3 Lessons From Lee Harbert’s Time at Barclays Global Investors

Lee Harbert has proved himself over and over in the realm of financial services. With stints at Bank of America and Fidelity Investments on his résumé, Lee Harbert has clearly fashioned a successful career as a financial services executive. One of Lee Harbert’s most recent positions was as the Managing Director at Barclays Global Investors.

As the Managing Director at Barclays Global Investors, Lee Harbert was in direct control of the daily operations of the company. Lee Harbert’s experiences at Barclays Global Investors present aspiring businessmen with the following 3 lessons on business.

1. Play to Your Strengths

Lee Harbert already had extensive experience in negotiations and mergers. Although his work at Barclays Global Investors was less concerned with mergers, Lee Harbert used his unique skill set to retain the company’s largest client, the federal government. With over $74 billion in assets, this retainer was a large part of Lee Harbert’s success in growing the company.

This growth allowed the business to improve in the ranking of asset managers for defined contribution plans. By the end of Lee Harbert’s time at Barclays Global Investors, the company had risen to fourth place on this list. Lee Harbert’s ability to manipulate his strengths to support his current job created an explosion of profit.

2. Build Your Network

At Barclay Global Investors, Lee Harbert strove to advance personal relationships with clients. These relationships can make or break a business. Lee Harbert used his growing understanding of the company’s clients to lead the development of new products that would be sure to satisfy the clients.

3. Learn to Multi-Task

The position of Managing Director required Lee Harbert to handle multiple responsibilities all at once without losing the quality of his work. Aspiring businessmen will find it critical to be capable of prioritizing and juggling many different tasks.