Rob Skinner, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of IEQ Capital, recently spoke with Steve Garmhausen of Barron’s about the principles that shape his leadership — balancing growth with the firm’s founding mission and enduring commitment to evolution. For Mr. Skinner and his IEQ co-founders, exceptional client service begins with investing in a culture of humility, commitment, and continuous learning.
Mr. Skinner’s enthusiasm for wealth advisory originated early in life. Each Sunday, he and his grandfather read The Wall Street Journal together, sparking a lifelong passion for the intricacies of the financial markets. This early exposure — blending economic insights with discussions of human behavior — shaped Mr. Skinner’s career aspirations. Additionally, inspired by his parents’ example, he has remained dedicated to sharing his motivation for the pursuit of process and service excellence with others.
Since its founding six years ago, IEQ Capital has expanded to a team of over 250 professionals across the United States. Still, Mr. Skinner believes the best path forward is “staying grounded and trying to run the business the same way as day one.” This belief has brought him to prioritize business coaching as a key driver toward internal development and client service excellence.
IEQ’s structural depth of leadership in a multimanager approach has facilitated an ability to celebrate the individual through dedicated and flexible coaching, allowing team members to flourish, as “happier people tend to stay in their seats a lot longer.” This commitment to mentorship and professional advancement is reflected in the firm’s low internal turnover rate among team members in their 20s to 40s — underscoring the power of this focus.
As the market landscape is continuously evolving, one assurance that Mr. Skinner believes to promote business success is the time and effort spent curating a culture of emotional intelligence, adaptability, and egoless human connectivity. Whether discussing internal team dynamics or valued client connections, his commitment to nurturing personal and relationship advancement has become a centerpiece to his business approach.
Looking ahead, Mr. Skinner remains committed to IEQ Capital’s founding principles — investment excellence, client-focused service, and adaptability in an evolving market. Viewing his work as both a privilege and a responsibility, Mr. Skinner emphasizes that those goals are “our internal North Star and always will be.”
You can read the full interview with Rob Skinner and Steve Garmhausen here: https://www.barrons.com/advisor/articles/robert-skinner-ieq-merrill-luminous-first-republic-3d6a1bc3
The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of Robert Skinner and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security.