Conflict

December 31, 2025

The Seduction of Short-Term Wins

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]When pressure mounts to grow deposits, reduce costs or boost earnings, short-term solutions can seem like the answer. But be careful—tempting options, such as adopting […]
December 17, 2025

The Nature of Traps in Community Banking

Community banks face traps in the form of flashy vendor pitches, regulatory shortcuts or “silver bullet” strategies. These traps are tempting and seem like quick fixes, […]
August 20, 2025

Communication Dynamics

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] Communication naturally evolves based on how people are organized and expected to work together. In working groups, communication is largely transactional. Information is shared […]
July 2, 2025

Are You Steering or Engaging?

In the dynamic world of community banking, it’s crucial to differentiate between steering a conversation and genuinely engaging. Understanding this distinction can significantly impact your interactions, […]
January 22, 2025

Behind the Numbers: The Energy of Community Banking

Community banking is about more than numbers on a balance sheet. It’s about the embodied energy—the trust, relationships and local expertise—that fuels every decision and action […]
November 27, 2024

The Conflict is Real: Navigating Leadership in Community Banking

“Jean-Michel Basquiat was afraid he’d be a flash in the pan, worried about paying rent, even as Andy Warhol reassured him otherwise.” This story isn’t just […]
November 20, 2024

The Crisis Paradox in Community Banking

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]In the world of community banking, a fascinating paradox often emerges: we tend to celebrate those who excel in crisis management while overlooking the quiet […]
October 30, 2024

The Resistance and Immunity to Change

In Steven Pressfield’s book, “The War of Art,” he talks about ‘Resistance’ as the collective term for the internal psychological barriers we all face—fear, self-doubt, complacency […]
October 23, 2024

The Small Things: A Key to Community Bank Success

As community bank CEOs, you know that the small things really do matter. Overlooking the importance of details in preparation or planning can significantly impact our […]