Jeff Whipple - Fidelity Investments
Thirlby Co. Leader to Learn From: April 2023
April 5, 2023
In April 2021, Jeff Whipple started his role as the Vice President and Regional Leader of Advisory Services at Fidelity Investments after working at Wells Fargo and Company for 18 years.
When it comes to leadership, Jeff is known for his ability to retain outstanding talent and build trust with his teammates. Jeff believes in a key philosophy of caring for those he manages before anything else.
“People don’t leave their employer - they leave their manager,” Jeff shared. “I totally believe that and see it. The problem we have to solve is creating better leaders. If we see that we will see less movement.”
Read on to learn more about Jeff’s insights in the financial services industry, and why he believes that having a balanced life of mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health translates to being a successful leader at work and at home.
OUR INTERVIEW WITH JEFF
You’ve now been at Fidelity for two years. What do you appreciate most about working there?
The culture. We have a very simple vision of “we help people.” Fidelity is 100 percent committed to helping our clients, our associates, and the community. We believe it and I see it at work.
Our leadership team is always asking for feedback. When I started my job here, they constantly asked what my former organization did well, so we could learn from it and be better.
We also have a really inclusive team culture. Our leadership team doesn’t have offices. We are all together in the same space.
You worked for 18 years at Wells Fargo - that’s impressive! What do you think is one of the greatest benefits you gained from your time there?
The greatest benefit was leadership development. As managers, we received a lot of training and coaching. This included working in small groups with facilitator, practicing skills such as delivering feedback and making presentations. This provided me with a good foundation of transferable skills into a completely different industry.
Second, I simply had a long time to practice working with so many different people. There is something to be said about time and experience as a leader - you just see more things.
What do make of the current job market, where we see so many people changing jobs with greater frequency?
People don’t leave their employer - they leave their manager. I totally believe that and see it. The problem we have to solve is creating better leaders. If we see that we will see less movement. There will be more job satisfaction, and that investment of leadership absolutely has a ROI to the business.
Speaking of - you are someone who is considered a great leader of people. People historically work for you for a long time. What do you think have been the key ingredients to your success?
I care about everybody. Deeply. I want to know about them personally. How they view the world. Their upbringing, their beliefs, and the experiences who shape who they are. It helps me understand how they’ll be successful in the role they have.
Second, it’s not just about noble work - it’s about helping people be better as individuals. When I meet people, I ask them about both their personal or professional goals. We create a relationship of trust.
Also - I have courageous conversations. I’m the guy who says: “Hey you have something in your teeth.” I care enough about you that I want you to be the best all the time.
How do you approach meeting people with both empathy and accountability?
With empathy and accountability, it’s like a see-saw - if there is too much accountability, there may not be enough empathy, and vice versa. But if you haven't built a relationship of trust, that is where you are going to fail.
I am very empathetic, but if I see a pattern of behavior that is harming someone at work and at home, I’m going to let them know. My goal is for my teammates to be winners at home and at work.
Speaking of winning at home and work, you are a parent of four kids, including two teenagers. I know you’re really passionate about parenting and supporting the mental and emotional needs of kids. What are you reflecting on as a parent right now?
Studies have shown that this new age of technology and social media is causing a drastic increase in social media and depression. Some of this is linked to sleep loss, which exacerbates the problem.
I once read that people are seven times more aggressive in social media and in text messages compared to when they are face to face. This affects our children and their self-esteem, their confidence, their image, how they are perceived by their peers.
At my home, we have some safeguards for our kids. Examples are deciding if and when they are old enough to have social media, or putting your phone away at night. We ask our kids what’s on their mind all the time.
Switching gears a bit - how would you define confidence?
A humble belief in your abilities. Confidence can come from your relationship with God, your family, or healthy relationships in your life. It can come from knowledge, experience, and expertise.
I also believe that confidence can be a choice. You can choose to be confident in who you are. This comes with a maturity in not caring what others think because you are confident in who you are and what you believe.
Last - there’s a difference between being confident and arrogant.
What have you learned about vulnerability, in the context of leadership?
Brené Brown - Wow! She does such a good job describing this. We used to think vulnerability was a sign of weakness. It’s not at all. You humanize yourself by making yourself more approachable in sharing about your background and experiences. This allows you to connect and build relationships of trust.
One of my best examples of this happened to me last year. Five months ago, my sister lost her husband to cancer. A few months prior at work, I was hosting a town hall with 200 people and was talking with my brother-in-law on the way to work. He shared with me about feeling grateful for having a really happy moment with his daughter, and then feeling really sick later on.
When I arrived at work and kicked off the town hall, I didn’t feel that I could just go through the motions. I decided to be honest with the entire group about what was on my mind.
Later, after the event was over, one of my associates came up to me and said: “My sister in law is going through the same thing.” Then another person came up and said: “I just lost my mom. When you shared that story about your brother-in-law it changed everything for me about how I view our company and our leadership.”
We have an opportunity every day to make these moments count.
How would you define your mission or purpose in life?
To make everybody around me better. To make this place better. I always try to make people feel better than they did before, whether it’s someone working at a gas station, a colleague at work, or anyone I come into contact with.
What is your greatest superpower as a leader?
My ability to connect with people and remember their stories and who they are. They know I care and we are able to have more trusting relationships long-term.
What is something that might surprise people about you?
I speak Spanish. I’ve never had a cavity. I love the movie Newsies and I love musicals.
Haha! That’s a great list. Next question - what advice would you have for someone who is struggling or feeling stuck right now in their life or career?
I would have the person first diagnose their own mental, emotional, and physical health. See how they are doing there. Then I’d ask what their relationships are like in their lives. What does your sleep look like? Are you out serving other people?
Then, I would try to understand what their key goals are. Do your homework. Spend some time understanding what you are really good at. Identify your transferable skills. Start getting your name out there. Be curious, network, and browse LinkedIn.
What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
To be patient. Learn your job and be the very best at it. If you dig into being the best five percent at your job and take it with that tenacity, you will have a very successful career. Be likable. Don’t be afraid of taking a lateral role that will help you learn something new.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Having a balanced life of mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health translates to being a successful leader and it’s really important.
Also - there is no comfort in the growth zone and there’s no growth in the comfort zone. We’re scared of growing when we are comfortable where we are. When you are growing and doing hard things that’s not a bad thing.
About Jeff Whipple (He/Him)
Jeff has over 20 years of experience in financial services. In his current role as Regional Leader, Jeff leads a team of 150 Investment Management Consultants in Denver that serve wealth management clients in the Midwest, Rocky Mountain, and Northwest regions.
Prior to his current role, Jeff was the Senior Vice President of Client Experience and Business Development for 600 branches at Wells Fargo and Company. Jeff spent 18 years at Wells Fargo. He was previously Senior Vice President of Small Business and Consumer Lending for the Mountain Midwest Region, Regional Banking Market Executive, as well as Licensed Branch Manager, Investment Consultant, and Business Banking Relationship Manager.
Additionally, Jeff has served on the board of Mi Casa Resource Center for 6 years, including his role as Board Chair and Vice Chair. He also serves as President of Highlands Ranch Colorado Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and is a volunteer for Junior Achievement.
Jeff and his wife Brindy currently reside in Highlands Ranch where they have lived since moving to Colorado in 2010. They have four children, Taylor (16), Kase (14), Lincoln (10), and Macy (7). Jeff has degree in finance from the University of Utah and graduate degree in banking from the Pacific Coast Banking School. He holds his NASD series 7, 9, 10, and 66 licenses.
About This Feature
Leaders to Learn From is a standing feature in The Thirlby Company’s monthly newsletter that recognizes outstanding leaders in our community who embody our company’s core values. You can learn about our other honorees here, or subscribe to our newsletter to receive this feature and more inspiring content in the future.
