Independent Banker - June 2020 - 5

FLOURISH
" Well-executed leadership
is less about marching to
your own beat and more
about creating a wellchoreographed
team play. "
Rebeca Romero Rainey
President and CEO, ICBA
Remember that childhood game follow-theleader
where one person directed, and the others
walked in line? Well, it was not a favorite of mine,
and I could never quite pinpoint why.
As I've moved forward in my career, I realized
what bothered me: The leader in that game dictated
the path, and others blindly followed suit.
There was no room for creative collaboration or
team dynamics. It was cut and dry: Either you
were a leader and got to call the shots, or you
were a follower and had to step in line.
That approach doesn't line up at all with the
reality of true leadership. A good leader listens
and learns from their team, becoming stronger
not by managing singularly, but by evolving
concepts and direction based on group input.
Leaders know that each individual's strengths
complement their own. Well-executed leadership
is less about marching to your own beat and more
about creating a well-choreographed team play.
That's why I'm heartened this month as I look
at our second-annual 40 Under 40 awards. These
young professionals have expertise that makes
them distinct from one another, but they share
a common quality: They are rising leaders. They
are strengthening the nature of community banking
by bettering themselves, their teams and their
organizations. And, they are doing it with gusto-
by focusing on coming together for a greater
good, for the strength of their communities.
This contagious enthusiasm is also why I look
forward to our LEAD FWD Summit each year.
As of this writing, we're not certain if this year's
event in September will take place in-person
or virtually. But we do know it will continue to
assemble ambitious, results-oriented community
bankers as they expand their leadership journeys.
Young professionals recognize LEAD FWD
as the key event at which to learn the strategies
and insights that will shape the future of community
banking.
Where I'll be
this month
I'll be continuing
to connect with
community
bankers
nationwide and
champion their
leadership via
digital channels.
As we look to the future, we're still faced with a
world of uncertainty, courtesy of COVID-19. Yet,
despite the challenges over the past few months,
we have led our communities toward prosperity.
By going beyond what's required of us in navigating
the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and
disbursing Economic Impact Payments (EIPs),
we have dug deep in supporting our communities.
From blood drives and business donations
to loan forgiveness and the renegotiation of contract
terms, community banks have supported
their customers in creative ways.
That's because we advance our communities
not by controlling the path, but by ensuring our
customers' voices are heard. They know they can
rely on us when it's most needed. I'd say that's the
sign of a true leader.
Connect with Rebeca @romerorainey
independentbanker.org Q 5
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - June 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Independent Banker - June 2020
