From Quarterback to Corner Office: Doug Sieg on Leading Lord Abbett (EP. 44)

Doug Sieg cold-called Lord Abbett in the early 1990s looking for a job. More than 30 years later, he’s the CEO. In this episode, Doug joins CAIS Co-President Brad Walker for a wide-ranging conversation covering his path to Lord Abbett, what he found when he took over as managing partner in 2018, and how the firm has built out a private credit platform while staying true to its roots as a public fixed-income manager. They also discuss Doug’s outlook on today’s macro environment, and reflects on the leadership lessons that guided his path to CEO. Chapters The Sieg Household [01:38]Three Brothers, One Industry [03:10]The Cold Call [07:04]Why He Stayed [08:44]Taking Over as Managing Partner [11:02]Building a Culture From the Inside Out [13:28]Leaders Aren't Born [18:24]Building the Private Credit Platform [22:28]Conviction and Caution [30:36]What Leadership Looks Like at Every Level [44:55]