Good leadership can make a company and bad leadership can break it. Everyone has a different leadership style. For John Tarantino, taking a values-first approach has been the key to success throughout his impressive career.
John Tarantino is President Emeritus and Senior Counsel at Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.
one of New England’s most successful law firms. He has long since been regarded as one of the foremost attorneys in the United States, with recognition from Best Lawyers of America, Chambers USA, Benchmark, and Law Dragon.
John Tarantino’s Rhode Island law
John Tarantino (Attorney) is a well-known lawyer who focuses in Rhode Island law. He has worked on high-profile cases and is well-known for his advocacy skills.
TEDx Talk
He is also a prolific speaker, and his TEDx Talk – delivered at the TEDxProvidence conference on May 21, 2023 – was the most-watched TEDx talk of last year and is currently sitting at almost 24 million views.
Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C.
Under John’s expert leadership, Adler Pollock & Sheehan P.C. has grown to over 100 employees and has an impressive staff retention rate. John attributes much of the success to an uncompromising belief in the firm’s values.
“Everyone has their own set of learned values and attitudes; what is important to you, may not be important to everyone else. Conflict usually arises because employees don’t buy into your vision for your company.”
John recommends you bring up your company vision and values in the first interview.
“Values have real meaning: they are expectations your employees need to buy into. You have to be very transparent in the interview process, so don’t sugarcoat your vision and future goals. Applicants will appreciate your candor and be able to decide if your company is the right fit for them.”
This is also why John believes it is critical to meet every applicant, rather than hire based on application alone.
“The only way you understand if a prospective employee is the right fit is by meeting them. Whether in person or online, you have to have a conversation. When I oversaw hiring, I met every candidate and discussed our values with them. It’s why our firm has such a high retention rate.”
The result of this commitment to values-based leadership is that many of Adler Pollock and Sheehan’s staff have stayed with the company for decades – a rarity in the highly competitive legal field.
“A large percentage of our staff have made the firm their career. We have over one hundred employees, and any issues that arise are the exception, not the rule. Our approach to hiring works because we focus on finding people who believe in our values.”
This doesn’t mean that a difference in values is wrong – it just means that, for a candidate, your workplace may not offer the best opportunities.
“Sharing your values through experience and osmosis doesn’t always work. You can’t force people to follow your model, no matter how much you pay them! If you choose people who share your commitment, they will want to stick around.”
Of course, ensuring your employees share your values doesn’t mean they can’t raise their own opinions. But as John explains, having a common culture and shared goals ensures that no unnecessary conflict takes place:
“You don’t want to hire people who say ‘yes’ to everything – new opinions and ideas will help your company to grow. A shared belief in your company values helps to avoid unnecessary conflict, as every employee uses their skills to work towards the same goal.”
The best test of a successful company is that even as the world changes, the values of every person who works there remain the same. As John says:
“Adler Pollock and Sheehan P.C. has been around since 1979, and we have deliberately chosen never to merge with another firm. Our identity has remained true for decades, even as the world has changed around us. We have, of course, moved with the times and responded to new opportunities and challenges, but our values have never wavered.”
And now, the firm is receiving the greatest compliment of all: the children of people John hired are joining the firm too, demonstrating that employee commitment has become generational.
“There is no greater reward than our employees wanting their children to work for us too. It demonstrates how strong the belief in our values is – the same conversations are happening at every interview.”
Leadership can’t hinge on the involvement of one person. By prioritizing values-based leadership from day one at Adler Pollock and Sheehan P.C, John has been able to pass the mantle to others to carry on the legacy:
“Your values need to be able to exist without you. I had a long time at the wheel – it’s someone else’s turn now. But I have been able to train others in the firm to take the same approach to leadership, so we can continue to grow.”
Alongside his ongoing legal work, John now serves as the CEO of Iylon Precision Oncology – a precision oncology company that uses clinical and genomic information to provide individualized cancer care and treatment recommendations for patients.
He is also a Managing Trustee of Papitto Opportunity Connection (POC), a private non-profit foundation that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion by investing in education, training, and entrepreneurial ventures in marginalized groups across Rhode Island.
The fact John has been able to take his skills and experience into very different environments and generate results is proof that good leadership is transferable to any industry.
Before I joined Iylon, I didn’t know anything about precision oncology! But I did know how to lead. By staying true to my style of leadership, I have been able to help both Iylon and POC hire the right team and increase their impact.”
There is no one way to be a leader. But, as John demonstrates, if you stay true to your values, you can create a positive working environment full of employees who are truly committed to your business’ success.
John regularly delivers talks and seminars on the subject of leadership at legal, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial events.
To enquire about John speaking at your next event, please get in touch via John Tarantino
