John Lynch considers effective management to be a balancing act in which allowing others to take the lead is just as important as taking action.
“I strongly believe that if you show me the incentives, I can show you the outcomes,” he said.
Lynch currently serves as vice president of product and fraud management at digital financial solutions provider Avant, where leadership training is considered a high-priority initiative. He said that the Avant Management Program exemplifies this focus, giving employees the skills they need to handle important managerial tasks, such as taking ownership and aligning teams with broader goals.
Avant’s approach to leadership training is designed to give managers the tools they need to drive business success. That’s why Lynch measures the efficacy of this training by gauging the company’s ability to move the needle on specific business outcomes.
“Ultimately, delivering measurable results is far more important than tracking the completion of daily tasks,” he said.
Below, Lynch shares more about Avant’s playbook for effective management and how this plays out on a daily basis.
About Avant
Avant offers financial tools and solutions that are designed to help middle-income consumers reach their economic goals.
What’s a quotable hallmark of good management on your team?
Good management is knowing when to step back but also ensuring alignment. I strongly believe that if you show me the incentives, I can show you the outcomes.
We are actively operationalizing this mindset through the Avant Management Program. We are looking to build the next generation of leaders at Avant who are capable of driving cross-functional outcomes. Through this program, we don’t just teach management skills; we incentivize leaders to take ownership, align their teams with broader goals, and lead with impact.
“We are looking to build the next generation of leaders at Avant who are capable of driving cross-functional outcomes.”
Which metric or practice shows it’s working?
I measure success by our ability to move the needle on specific business outcomes. Ultimately, delivering measurable results is far more important than tracking the completion of daily tasks. If we are hitting our goals, the process is working.
What behavior models great management daily?
To me, great management is defined by consistency and active unblocking. We use weekly syncs for collaborative problem-solving, while the rest of my week is dedicated to clearing the path for my team.
