Community bank leaders must master their operational roles while addressing the emotional needs of their staff. Sam Wilmes, Digital Managing Editor at BankBeat, reported this insight originally presented by Robb Rempel, Executive Vice President, of Haberfeld, a community bank consultancy firm in Lincoln, Neb.
Rempel’s comments came from the spring-summer seminar of the Bank Holding Company Association. At the Edina, Minn., gathering Rempel noted, “Employees today desire a manager they want to work for. It wasn’t some specific thing they did. It’s how it felt to work for them.”
Work-Life Balance for Bank Employees Post-Pandemic
The Conshohocken, Pa., information technology research and advisory group Gartner, Inc., confirmed the validity of Remple’s assertion. In 2022, a Gartner survey found that nearly two-thirds of respondents have shifted their attitudes toward work-life balance post-pandemic, and over half want to contribute more to society.
This shift challenges the traditional view that leaders are solely focused on work. Instead, recent analysis shows leadership traits can be developed through “soft skills” like conflict resolution and empathetic listening.
Strategies for Building Positive Banking Environment
A 2023 McKinsey report highlights that employees prioritize relational factors at work, such as feeling valued and having a sense of belonging. Top reasons for resignations included not feeling valued by the organization or individual managers.
To foster a positive environment, leaders should practice open communication, welcome employee ideas, and offer systems for anonymous feedback. Flexible working hours and paid volunteering opportunities, like the 32 hours offered by BankVista in Mankato, Minn., also enhance employee satisfaction.
Community Bank Leadership: Balancing Skills with Staff Appreciation
Assessing current employment trends, especially among community bankers, reveals one compelling takeaway: Effective leadership requires balancing technical skills with making staff feel appreciated and valued.
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