Independent Banker - December 2019 - 5

FLOURISH
" We're relationship
bankers; connections are
critical to how we define
success. "
Rebeca Romero Rainey
President and CEO, ICBA
What does " the best " mean? It can be a tricky
question, as " the best " of anything is usually subject
to interpretation. What I think is the best
restaurant may not fi t your palate, and vice versa.
But, in some scenarios, a clear winner rises to
the top. For example, in sports, you have a culminating
game, race or match to determine the
champion, like the World Series-GO NATS! The
entertainment industry hosts awards to dole out
the distinction, and the stock market's best of the
day is usually the highest performing.
Yet, being the best isn't always about winning in
the traditional sense. Remember when you were
10 and you had that best friend-the one who stuck
by your side, no matter what? They simply were
the best because of the connection you shared.
As community bankers, I daresay our best aligns
more with that 10-year-old self than with conventional
business scenarios. That's because we're
relationship bankers; connections are critical to
how we defi ne success. While the bottom line matters
to us, our best has more to do with the who
behind our work than any other factor. It's what
makes us unique in the fi nancial services industry,
and it's a trait we should wear with honor.
That's why I'm thrilled we're recognizing our
" Best Community Banks to Work For " recipients.
Nominated by their employees, these banks
demonstrate the workplace dynamics we all
Where I'll be
this month
I'll be visiting
our Sauk Centre,
Minn., off ice
to meet with
the team and
continue building
toward our
organizational
best.
strive to achieve. Their stories highlight how they
go above and beyond to create a fulfi lling work
environment and represent what is truly unique
about community banking: We put people fi rst.
That people-fi rst mindset makes us attractive
as employers; relationships speak volumes to
the rising workforce. In fact, for Gen Z, the two
most important factors at work are " supportive
leadership " and " positive relationships, " according
to research by RainmakerThinking. Both are
characteristics that community banks exhibit in
spades, so much so that, at times, I think we lose
sight of just how special it makes our institutions.
Our customer value proposition emphasizes
the importance of personal relationships, but
just think of the opportunities that arise when we
convey that same sentiment in employee recruitment.
I've lost count of the times I've heard bank
leaders say they wouldn't be where they are without
the support of their teams. So, let's tout that.
Let's make sure that the next generation knows
that community banking is an admirable fi eld
that values the person behind the institution.
Let's continue to take top honors as the very best
in the business.
Connect with Rebeca @romerorainey
independentbanker.org Q 5
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - December 2019

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