Foster trust in order to delegate successfully

When you’re on vacation, are your coworkers or direct reports frequently contacting you for solutions to normal work issues? The good news is that you are in the driver’s seat when it comes to empowering your team to make decisions in your absence. [Continue]

Project struggles are real, and can be overcome

I am leading up a SharePoint project that includes several department heads within the bank. Most on the team work very well together and are hitting their deadlines but I am struggling with one department head. He consistently misses meetings and has not met one deadline. How do I handle this when he doesn’t report to me?  [Continue]

How to stay connected while working far apart

Intentionality is the key to maintaining your relationships. Schedule a set date and time each month for a one-on-one meeting. Set an agenda to make sure important topics such as high payoff activities, behavioral and business goals are discussed. Consider these meetings non-negotiable and do not get in the habit of rescheduling, as this sends your team member the wrong message. [Continue]

How to survive a system conversion

As the first post-conversion business day begins, systems are up, clients can access online and mobile banking and their debit cards are working. Your nightmares of being hunted like Frankenstein by a mob of angry clients were unfounded.  [Continue]

Include all internal experts when launching new products

How exciting is it to roll out a new client offering? It is like that new car smell and getting the new iPhone folded into one! The anticipation of how “the product” will grow deposits, increase non-interest income and reduce expenses can be intoxicating. But how often is excitement (or even formal communication) about a new product offering spread throughout the entire organization effectively prior to launch? [Continue]

Think before you hit ‘send’

We have all been there. A board reporting deadline looms and you are waiting on “Jacob” to provide his quarterly charge-off numbers. You are down to the wire and send him a quick email asking for an update. Within seconds, you receive an “out of office” message stating he will be gone through the end of the week. WHAT?  [Continue]

‘They’ may be lurking at your institution

Stop me if you’ve heard this before. “Why won’t they just finish the project?” I am sure “they,” those awful nameless faceless creatures, are lurking at your institution as well. How do we flush them out? How did they infiltrate our institution in the first place?  [Continue]

Listen for the ‘little things’ and build trust

We want our teams to feel empowered to use their resources and take appropriate action to overcome obstacles. At the most basic level, this means keeping open the lines of communication. Communication challenges often first come to my attention during monthly one-on-one meetings with staff. [Continue]