Feature Photo (above): (L-R) KBA’s Doug Wareham moderated the KBA Leaders Panel, featuring three former KBA Board Chairman: Leonard Wolfe, Frank Carson III and Bob Leftwich. They shared their experience as Chairman and encouraged the BLOK Class to stay involved in the KBA throughout their careers to keep the industry advancing.
The 2023 KBA Bank Leaders of Kansas (BLOK) Class reconvened their executive-level leadership training with a successful third session in Wichita on July 12-14. The first day and a half was filled with an engaging leadership training session facilitated by Ted Garnett, President of PS Culture Matters. Garnett shared the five-part Leadership Job Description that will help class members get the best from their team members. Garnett shared his leadership job description that others could use as a guide to help take them to the next level: 1. Set them up for success; 2. Equip them; 3. Unite the team; 4. Focus on results; 5. Drive accountability.
Garnett also encouraged participants to evaluate their bank’s mission statement and core values. He stressed that all banks should value their customers and that each bank needs to identify and communicate what differentiates them in the marketplace. Garnett also gave compelling, personal examples of the power of setting lofty goals. To gain practical experience, he challenged BLOK class members to establish a personal vision, or leadership brand, for which to be known. The key is to ask others the reality of what they are known for and then close the gap between reality and the desired outcome through the execution of the leadership principles that Garnett stressed. He also taught participants conceptual tools to improve their leadership skills within their bank teams to get results. Hands-on group exercises had the class learn that the number one leadership skill is listening, and the number one group skill is consensus.
The class was also assigned a self-accountability action assignment in Session II that would be presented to the class during Session III. The action assignment was based on Leadership and Self-Deception, written by The Arbinger Institute. After reading the book, each individual implemented a tool taught in the reading, shared their number one takeaway and reported the lesson learned and its effect on their personal and professional relationships. Many impactful stories were shared!
Wichita State University hosted Friday morning’s training at the beautiful new academic building Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall, the new home of the W. Frank Barton School of Business. The last day began with a KBA Leaders Challenge Panel featuring distinguished KBA bank leaders Frank Carson III (Chairman, Carson Bank, Mulvane, and KBA Chairman 2012-2013), Bob Leftwich (Director, Impact Bank, Wellington, and KBA Chairman 2015-2016), and Leonard Wolfe (President & CEO, United Bank & Trust, Marysville, and KBA Chairman 2013-2014). These gentlemen shared insights on leadership in their banks and communities, what led them to serve on the KBA Board of Directors and the significance of being engaged with the KBA. The class was also able to hear and ask questions of the panelists on their leadership styles and important events during their term as Chairman.
The BLOK Class was then able to gain knowledge from an interactive Workforce Development Panel discussion featuring KBA Board Member and 2012 BLOK Graduate Julie Huber (Executive Vice President/Strategic Initiatives, Equity Bank, Wichita), Shawn Lancelot (Market President, Bank of America, Wichita), and 2018 BLOK Graduate Steven Suellentrop (President & CEO, Legacy Bank, Wichita). The distinguished panelists discussed their strategies for identifying new bank talent and retaining great employees. Panelists revealed ways that they are trying to connect with younger generations of employees with intentional policies that appeal to their values. The session concluded with a tour of the new Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall.
The BLOK Class will reconvene at their fourth and final session in Washington, D.C., in September, where they will join the KBA Federal Affairs Committee and KBA Board of Directors for a march on Capitol Hill.
Members of the 2023 BLOK class are Amy Barber, Central National Bank, Topeka; Crystal Boyer, First Interstate Bank, Shawnee; Jen Cocking, Capitol Federal Savings Bank, Topeka; Dena Flach, Stockgrowers State Bank, Maple Hill; Alex Goodpaster, Equity Bank, Overland Park; Mike Hamilton, Adams Bank & Trust, Colby; Victoria Pruitt, First National Bank of Hutchinson, Hutchinson; Kristie Henry, Community National Bank, Seneca; Dustin Hickel, INTRUST Bank, N.A., Prairie Village; Brett Hubka, GNBank, N.A., Clay Center; Sarah Keeny Moon, Citizens Bank of Kansas, Derby; Carl Keith, Solutions North Bank, Hill City; Garet King, Fusion Bank, Overland Park; Matt Koupal, FHLBank Topeka, Topeka; James Leftwich, Security 1st Title, LLC., Wichita; Katrina Loader, Astra Bank, Abilene; Rex Reynolds, Legacy Bank, Wichita; Elizabeth Roche, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka; Justin Sparks, Bankers’ Bank of Kansas, Wichita; and Adeel Syed, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka.
Thanks to BLOK Sponsors! Premier: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, FHLBank Topeka, and KBA Insurance, Inc.; Silver: INTRUST Bank, N.A.; Bronze: Bankers’ Bank of Kansas and Professional Bank Consultants, LLC.
