In the latest episode of Work Ethic, Ethic CEO Doug Scott sits down with John M. Dowd, Chairman and former CEO of Fiduciary Trust International, a global wealth management firm with more than $113 billion in assets under management and administration.
When Dowd stepped in to lead Fiduciary Trust in 2016, he joined a firm with deep experience in stewarding and serving clients over many decades. With rapid shifts sweeping through wealth management - from digital-first experiences to evolving client expectations - his leadership focus as CEO was on positioning the firm for its next phase of growth and scale. John focused on building team chemistry, fostering internal ownership, and guiding his team through transformation and to new heights together.
Dowd shares how he approached that work and also reflects on what advisors can learn from behavioral economics, why senior leaders should avoid the “Superman effect” when coaching talent, and how digitally native clients are reshaping the advisory relationship.
Key insights from the conversation include:
- Make change something people own: Why bringing teams into the vision makes institutional evolution natural and sustainable.
- Avoid the “Superman effect”: Why senior advisors should coach rising talent, rather than dominating every client interaction.
- Understand the purpose of wealth: How helping multigenerational families define what their capital is for creates lasting alignment.
- Digitally native client expectations: Why transparency, seamless digital access, and modern technology are now baseline expectations.
For advisors and firm leaders navigating change, Dowd offers a unique perspective on how to modernize an institution while honoring the human relationships at the center.
