Independent Banker - June 2021 - 7

FROM THE TOP
" One of my early mentors told
me, 'It's often easier to ask
for forgiveness than to ask for
permission.' That piece of advice
has ... allowed us to be a little more
progressive as a bank. "
Robert M. Fisher
Chairman, ICBA
Robert Fisher is president, CEO
and chairman of Tioga State Bank
in Spencer, N.Y.
eading a family-owned
community bank offers a lot of
opportunities, but transitioning into
the helm comes with a number of
challenges. You go from being the kid
your dad's team watched growing up
to being their direct supervisor.
That's why, throughout my banking
career, I felt compelled to be the
hardest worker in the room. I
wanted to prove I was worthy of my
leadership role, not because I was
little Bobby Fisher, but because I had
earned it.
I suspect I'm not alone in that
sentiment. But I realized a long time
ago that the best way to live up to
the title is to lead with integrity and
stay true to who you are. For me, that
means I follow three principles:
1. Be a lifelong learner. I'm a big
proponent of going the extra mile,
because if you don't continuously
grow, you're falling behind. At
the bank, having this approach
L
means you're always asking
" why? " to understand the rationale
behind decisions. You're also not
afraid to fail, because some of the
best knowledge comes from an
unsuccessful attempt.
2. Strive to make those around
you better. Michael Jordan was
one of the greatest basketball
players of all time, but he was
a great leader as well. When he
walked onto the court, everyone
stepped up their games, and he
made those around him better.
In that vein, I work really hard to
empower my team to do what they
do best and to support them so we
can excel together.
My Top Three
Before I settled into
my role as a fifthgeneration
bank leader, I was
a U.S. Air Force navigator.
Here are three of my favorite
trips I took in that role:
1. Moscow, Russia
2. Gaborone, Botswana
3. Ascension Island
3. Seek out mentors and be
one yourself. One of my early
mentors told me, " It's often easier
to ask for forgiveness than to ask
for permission. " That piece of
advice has served me well and
allowed us to be a little more
progressive as a bank. When
there's something that we really
want to do, we will proceed and
manage the fallout later, if it
arises. And I try to instill that
concept throughout the bank, so
everyone feels inspired to seek
new opportunities.
Certainly, every leader approaches
the role differently, and as future
generations of bankers come into
their own-like those featured in
this issue-they will carve their
own paths, centered on their
communities. Yet, all community
bank leaders approach their roles
with one core belief in mind: The
relationship-with families, staff,
customers, other bankers, and
communities-guides everything we
do. Above all, being a community
bank leader means keeping your
relationships as your due north. 
Connect with Robert @RobertMFisher
independentbanker.org Q 7
Photo by Heather Esposito
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - June 2021

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