Seeking Opportunities To Develop Leadership

I believe one of the keys to becoming a leader is to proactively ask for opportunities. When I was a young kid, probably 4 or 5 years old, my parents scolded me for asking a neighbor for some candy from her candy dish. My parents told me that I should wait for the candy to be offered, not ask for it. I responded, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get none.” I still stand by the truth – if not the grammar – of what I said as a young kid.

In my bank, the people I think of as leaders or emerging leaders are those who proactively ask to do things. Whether it is asking to participate in an IBA event or to take on a new project at the office, the employees I view as potential leaders are the ones who strive to do more than the bare minimum. When employees request to attend an IBA conference – such as FLD Leadership, Banking on Women or Mega – or to go on the IBA Annual Washington Trip, I know they want to learn more about the industry and become better bankers. A consistent trait of leaders is that they take a deep interest in their professions beyond the day-to-day job.

So keep in mind that “if you don’t ask, you don’t get none.” Also know that the opportunities to expand your knowledge of banking probably won’t be handed to you. You need to seek out opportunities and ask to participate. Don’t wait for your manager to suggest you attend a conference or travel to Washington, D.C. Instead, you do the asking! When you do, you’re sending a clear message that you are a leader in the making, ready to learn and grow.

This Month's Guest Writer

Lucas White
The Fountain Trust Company, Covington
President
2020 IBA Chairman