Ryan Wahlund, JD – Ryan Financial Group
Networking makes the world go around. Experts suggest at least 80% of all jobs are filled through a professional network connection. Working through people you know makes things happen, which is why we’re highlighting those in the background of many successful executives we read about.
If there was an Olympic team for networking, Ryan Wahlund would surely be on it. His day job is Director Retirement Plan Services at Ryan Financial Group, but he’s also known as a professional networker and sounding board to turn to. Cheers to those in the background, tirelessly making introductions and connections to help others!
If you could try a different job for a day, what would you choose?
I’d love to be an actor in a major Hollywood action or sci-fi movie, preferably something with a good car/vehicle chase, a shootout, and plenty of explosions. It would be really interesting to see how movies are made and play a role in bringing something like that to life.
What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?
Your first job does not determine your career, and you have to keep a long-term perspective in mind. I began my professional career as an attorney, working as an appellate clerk and then for two different law firms in downtown Minneapolis. I worked hard, gained practical skills, and learned so much about myself during that phase of my life. Although I came to realize that the practice of law wasn’t a good fit for me, it was a foundational element for the type of work that I do now in retirement plan services.
I also think too often people focus on the work itself and get lost in their daily grind, instead of taking time for introspection and to answer the simple question of “who do you want to be?” During my career change/self-evaluation journey out of the law, a mentor of mine asked me a profound question– “What makes a good day or a bad day for you, in a word and in a sentence, without being specific about your daily work? I realized my answers were “people” and “I have a good day when I get to meet with and help people.” This insight guided me in my career journey from that point forward.
What is your mantra?
Good people meeting good people makes good things happen. I’m someone who loves to make connections and when I meet new people I’m constantly thinking about the other people in my network and circle who they should meet with next. It’s classic for me to end a networking coffee with the phrase “You know, you should meet…”
How do you get yourself out of a slump?
By focusing on how to move forward with a solution instead of dwelling on what went wrong or isn’t working. I still play basketball regularly and spend most of my time beyond the 3-point arc (I’m a classic late-model 3 and D player) so I’ll borrow the basketball analogy that the best shooters focus on the next shot and just keep shooting instead of letting their misses get to them.
What companies or leaders do you admire?
Those who put other people first and build a culture from the ground up of supporting each other. The type of leader who people follow because they choose to, not because they have to. It’s a cliché term, but servant leadership is a powerful force, and typically the leaders I admire most are the people who when you meet them are relatable, and humble, and you’d never guess their actual title, prestige, etc. But you do recognize that intrinsically they are someone you want to be around, learn from, and who will support your development. And often they lead successful companies which is no surprise!
What has been the biggest shift you’ve noticed in your industry in the last decade?
We’ve seen the concept of retirement evolve into a second phase of your career instead of being the time you quit working altogether. On the one hand, I think this is a great perspective because human beings find meaning in work and helping others, so it’s important to have a purpose in your life that goes beyond your enjoyment/pleasure. Working into your retirement years can provide that. This shift has also occurred because we have a retirement crisis in America where too many people haven’t saved adequately to retire on their own and are forced to continue working to sustain their lifestyle, It’s one of the reasons we are huge advocates for employee-focused education as a part of servicing our retirement plan clients. Helping individuals understand how disciplined saving and investing can provide flexibility and options later in life when the time comes for them to “retire” and embrace the next phase.
Who has been most instrumental in your career?
I don’t think I can take up the amount of space I’d need for everyone that should go on this list. But first and foremost, my dad, Craig Wahlund. He passed away tragically at age 42 when I was only 15 years old, but he modeled for me what it meant to be a good father, a good husband, and how to serve others through relationships. Losing him at such a young age also helped me realize that we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, and that life is too short to stay in an unfulfilling career. I also must mention Mark Kolsrud, who has been like a second father to me and a business mentor for my entire professional career – his counsel and advice have been invaluable and he’s an incredible example of someone who prioritizes relationships and gives generously of his time and connections to others.
What is your go-to celebration meal, drink or tradition?
It’s likely no surprise that for me it’s more about the people I’m celebrating with than what we are eating or drinking together. But I’m a beer guy so I’ll say a good IPA (anything BlackStack in St. Paul brews, Elysian Space Dust, or Deschutes Fresh-Squeezed) as the first drink after a big win or to kick off our fellowship together.
