Invest Well, Be Well

Dick Fredericks - Wisdom from Wall Street to the World

Episode Summary

A podcast for wiser investing and stronger living. Success in the markets and in life requires sound investments — in our portfolios and our personal wellness. A weekly show, Invest Well, Be Well explores the principles of long-term investing, behavioral finance and peak performance with top-performing investment professionals and cross-industry leaders. Hosted by investment executive Rusty Vanneman and seasoned journalist Robyn Murray, each episode offers practical strategies for building wealth and prioritizing well-being, so you can make better decisions, grow your resilience and elevate your life. In this episode, we spoke with Dick Fredericks, founding partner at Main Management. J. Richard Fredericks was the United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein from October 29, 1999 to July 6, 2001. He was appointed by President Bill Clinton. He received a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. In 2010, Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Fredericks as a member of the trust fund board of the Library of Congress. Dick is also a grower and board member for Turley Wine Cellars.

Episode Notes

Tune in to hear:

In this episode, we discuss how Dick’s varied career experiences have shaped his outlook on life, the power of optimism, traits Dick has observed across successful leaders and the power of deep reading and a love of knowledge.

Looking back over Dick’s varied career, what guiding principles have guided his decision making across such different areas?
What does Dick believe makes a truly wise investor today?
What does Dick think about the financial sector today and what does he think is misunderstood about banks and their role in the economy?
In Dick’s career, he’s been at the intersection of Wall Street, Washington and global business - how has this perspective shaped the way he thinks about diversification, risks and opportunities for investors today?
Learn about “Track,” a venture capital firm that Dick is the chair of, and what they’re all about.
How did Dick’s experience being an ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein inform the way he invests, leads and lives?
In his years serving on various boards, what are some of the common themes Dick has seen in successful leadership and decision making across such diverse organizations?
How did Dick get involved with Turley Wine Cellars, as a grower and board member, and what has that experience been like?
How has Dick’s knowledge and experience, as both a voracious reader and a member of the trust fund board of the Library of Congress, shaped his outlook on life, investing and personal fulfillment?
Dick went to Oxford University to complete a program that he designed on the moral philosophers that influenced our Founding Fathers. Learn more about this experience.
What advice would Dick give to younger professionals, and investors, about how to practically build the habit of continuous learning?
What is the key to living a life that is full of wisdom, balance and meaning?
What is Dick’s physical wellness routine like?

Quotes

“I believe in compounding. You know, Einstein’s theory that it’s the 8th wonder of the world, I strongly believe in that, but on the way you’ve gotta have humility and you’ve gotta learn from your mistakes…Also, while I’m a long-term investor, there’s the Nike thing ‘Just Do It…’ [To be a truly wise investor]...you’ve got to be in the game…while I’m a long-term investor, I do have a pocket of short-term stuff because it just keeps me active.” - Dick Fredericks

“What you realize when you go through all of those sectors…[Wall Street, Washington and global business], [is that] people are people. People are fallible, they make mistakes…and you realize that nobody's got the ultimate edge. Now, you mentioned diversification, I do believe that’s the one free lunch in investing. It’s powerful, it protects you, so I believe strongly in diversification.” - Dick Fredericks

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