Independent Banker - December 2024 - 19

Illustration by Jozefmicic/Adobe
PORTFOLIO LEADERSHIP AT ALL LEVELS
How to be a memorable employee
By Lindsay LaNore, ICBA
ast month, we asked what makes
a leader memorable. And now,
we're turning the tables: What makes
an employee memorable? In addition
to being leaders, most of us are also
employees, so this question applies to
almost everyone within the bank.
In the spirit of the season, let's start
by talking about snow. In wintertime,
frozen water molecules arrange
themselves in an infi nite number
of ways, and like each individual
snowfl ake, every employee is unique.
Think about what makes you stand
out from the crowd but also about the
qualities you respect in others-the
ones you look for when hiring new
employees. Here are some examples:
1. Skilled
It always helps to have a great resume.
But think beyond the credentials:
What are your soft skills? What are
the character traits and interpersonal
skills that make you successful?
2. Committed
A memorable employee is dedicated
to their job and aligned with the goals
and mission of the bank. Believing in
what you do brings motivation, which
is essential to performing well.
3. Enthusiastic
Motivators are held in high esteem by
others. Who doesn't like being around
someone with a positive attitude?
4. Optimistic
Throw in a little optimism, especially
in the face of adversity, and you've
got a winning combination. Moods
7. Trustworthy
Great employees are reliable,
punctual and consistent. They also
are contagious, so why not spread
a good one?
5. Curious
Being open to change leads to
innovative thinking, which is great
for personal and business growth.
Curiosity breeds resourcefulness and
helps with problem solving. Never
stop asking questions.
6. Organized
A great employee is focused, with
an eye for detail. Staying on task,
preparing for and consistently
attending meetings, and fi nishing
projects on time are all habits
that add to the eff ectiveness of
the workplace.
Obviously, nobody expects
perfection. (However, if you fi nd
that unicorn, please let us know!)
The point is, we don't all have
the same skills in the same doses.
Maybe you aren't always the best at
communicating, you're occasionally
late for meetings or you're too
enthusiastic. But like those fl akes of
snow, it's the unique combinations of
these qualities-plus the unexpected
extras-that make us memorable.
L
demonstrate strong values and
principles throughout the workplace.
8. Communicative
The ability to communicate eff ectively
is another obvious skill. But beyond
writing a good email, it's important to
be a good listener, observe nonverbal
cues, share the room with others and
ask thoughtful questions.
9. Confident
Confi dence isn't arrogance. It's far
more subtle and can often be quiet.
A confi dent employee is a great selfstarter
and has self-awareness.
10. Collaborative
A memorable employee plays well
with others. They work toward the
same goals, showing respect for
others and lifting them up.
Lindsay LaNore (lindsay.lanore@
icba.org) is ICBA's senior
executive vice president and chief
learning and experience off icer.
independentbanker.org // 19
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - December 2024

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