March Forward

Team Jefferies,

As we enter the month of March, we want to share a few random thoughts of what we should each expect from each other as true Jefferies partners taking our firm forward.  In no particular order:

1. Everyone at Jefferies deserves a prompt response to every call or email, regardless of seniority.  If you don’t know what to write, then please pick up the phone and call your colleague.  Not responding or responding in an untimely manner is unfair and wrong.
2. Nobody at Jefferies should feel or inflict an ounce of guilt or stress for the decision to prioritize, start or add to a family.
3. It is up to each one of us to make sure we protect and enhance our Jefferies brand and reputation.
4. We are counting on everyone globally to elevate problems immediately and transparently—the truth, rapidly.
5. We expect everyone to act professionally and in accordance with all laws and regulations in the office, with clients and in all other settings.
6. Within that boundary, everyone at Jefferies is allowed to enjoy themselves, let their individual personalities shine and be their best authentic self. 
7. It’s everyone’s job at Jefferies to help retain and recruit the very best to ensure we have one cohesive and positive culture.
8. Our compliance and legal partners always look for the constructive way to say yes (whenever possible), and it is always better to ask for clarity upfront.
9. Never take for granted the fact that we all have a consistent plan, a sense of purpose and the desire to build a special firm.
10. Our clients are our reason to exist, and our shareholders and bondholders allow us to smartly serve them.
11. It is the responsibility of every one of us to make sure we have the best person in each seat, regardless of race, color, religion, or sexual orientation. 
12. It is up to each one of us to welcome every Jefferies traveler with warm hospitality whenever someone walks into one of our 47 offices in 21 different countries.   
13. The only way for us to protect our Jefferies home is if every one of us is responsible for watching our risk. 
14. If a junior person does the work, put them on the call or bring them to the meeting.
15. We are never as smart as we think we may be when our stock drifts higher, and the most important thing to do during those times is to remind ourselves of how fragile everything is, how fortunate we are to be at Jefferies, and to have a heightened awareness that we can never let a drop of arrogance or complacency seep into Jefferies.

Happily marching forward with all of you and never forgetting what we need to do to keep succeeding,

Rich and Brian