Overcoming Resistance
In the world of community banking, leadership isn’t just about making strategic decisions or managing operations. It's about confronting and overcoming a pervasive and often invisible force—what Steven Pressfield calls "Resistance." This force is a universal adversary that manifests in procrastination, self-doubt, fear, and any form of avoidance that stops
Decision-Making: A Strategic Advantage for CEOs
Ladies and gentlemen, leadership, at its core, often comes down to decision-making. Decisions are the heartbeat of every business. They’re made every day, at every level, from the boardroom to the front lines. Whether you're a banker, a cop, a firefighter,or a parent, decision-making is universal. Here’s a critical insight: you
Quickly and Well: The Art of Decision-Making
Leadership often comes down to decision-making. Decisions happen all the time, everywhere, in every business. Your people make them every day. It occurs in your job, on the interstate, and whether you’re a banker, cop, fireman, or parent. Everything is about decision-making. News Flash: you can train your people to make
Rethinking Options: The Power of “None of the Above”
As community bank CEOs, you’re often presented with multiple-choice decisions, whether it’s about product offerings, strategic initiatives or vendor selections. The options seem straightforward, and someone asks you to choose between them. But what if the best choice is “None of the above”? The real challenge lies not in the options presented
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 you take. Think about something as simple as a can of soda. While it may cost just a few dollars, its true value lies
Skilled Talent Tsunami: A “Just-in-Time” Discussion for Forward-Thinking Senior Execs
In the fast-paced world of community banking, staying ahead requires more than keeping up with regulations and technological advancements. It's also about securing the right talent to lead your organization into the future. As senior executives, you’re already feeling the pressure of an escalating skills shortage that impacts not only
Staying Focused on What Truly Matters: A Lesson for Community Bank CEOs
In the ever-evolving world of community banking, distractions often pull your focus toward things that seem important but don't truly make an impact. Picture yourself browsing a clearance sale and spotting office chairs that resemble the ones your branch had years ago. Or perhaps you hear about a noisy event
Stronger Communities: A Call to Community Bank Leaders
When you think about your bank’s position in your local communities, here’s something to consider. When you think about the leadership challenges in community banking across America, you’re faced with an issue that demands your utmost attention and strategic thinking. The health and prosperity of your local communities are deeply
The Allure of Empty Promises: Staying Vigilant in Community Banking
In one of his recent blogs, Seth Godin asks why do we often fall for the pitches of smooth talkers, con artists, demagogues and tricksters? As our world becomes more informed and rational, paradoxically, we see an increase in scams, hustles and chaos. As Community bankers you are particularly targeted by
The Balance Between Perfection & Progress in Community Banking
In the community banking world, where trust and reliability are the cornerstones of every decision, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of perfection. But as surprising as it may seem, perfection and mediocrity can both be hiding places—places where leaders avoid the real work of making decisions