Every successful company’s cornerstone is its leadership. Different leadership styles cater to different organizational needs – some thrive under autocratic leadership, others under democratic or transformational styles.
The Prince Financial Group, co-founded by John Engler, Bryan Lantry, and Alec Dierna, has demonstrated the effectiveness of a more individualistic, strengths-based leadership approach. This model acknowledges the diverse capabilities within a team, assigning roles and responsibilities in accordance with individual skills and expertise.
Prince Financial Group’s leadership style starkly contrasts with the traditional hierarchical approach. The company believes in the power of delegation and trusts its team members to be experts in their respective fields. This style embraces the diversity of skills within the team and optimizes them to drive business success.
John Engler, one of the co-founders, brings a wealth of experience. “John excels in areas that we don’t. He has a remarkable skill for internet research and possesses knowledge that comes from having 20 years of business experience,” Bryan Lantry explains. “I rely on John for information related to state licensing and similar matters. He has everything filed and sorted out.”
Engler’s knack for research and connecting the dots has been instrumental in the firm’s strategic planning and execution, and his ability to dissect complex information and synthesize valuable insights is the backbone of the company’s innovative strategies. On the other hand, Bryan Lantry exhibits exceptional leadership skills.
“Bryan’s strength lies in never becoming complacent. He constantly strives to reach the next level. He knows it’s not enough even if a million dollars comes in. When a company becomes complacent, its business model starts crumbling. Brian is a genius at staying ahead of the curve, displaying natural leadership skills.”
Aged just 26, Lantry shines in his ability to analyze information swiftly, identify flaws, and fix them promptly. He also exhibits strong communication skills, filling in for Engler, who admits to being not as good when he needs to talk to a room full of doctors.
Trust plays a significant role in their leadership model. The co-founders’ trust in their team is evident in their selection of people who run the many subsidiaries of the Prince Financial Group. All of them have in-depth knowledge about their operations, and are empowered to leverage their expertise to handle the day-to-day operations. At the same time, the trio of founders are always there to provide guidance on higher-level business matters.
Prince Financial Group’s successful healthcare initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic is a prime example of how diverse strengths can contribute to a project’s success. With over 8 million COVID tests distributed directly to consumers, this initiative shows how individual strengths can harmonize to create a significant impact and underlines the company’s commitment to community service.
The leadership approach employed by Prince Financial Group holds valuable lessons for other organizations. Recognizing and harnessing individual strengths is key to creating high-performing teams. It allows for more effective delegation, resulting in increased productivity and innovation.
Leaders can use trust to foster a sense of empowerment and ownership among their team members. This approach enhances their performance and boosts their morale and job satisfaction. Similarly, avoiding complacency and continuously striving for more, as Bryan Lantry does, keeps the company agile and forward-moving. By adapting these lessons to their context, businesses can foster a more efficient, innovative, and motivated workforce, leading to optimal results.
