Pub. 6 2017 Issue 3

L E A D I N G A D V O C A T E F O R T H E B A N K I N G I N D U S T R Y I N K A N S A S 8 TRISTATE LEADERSHIP & HR CONFERENCE T HE 2017 TRISTATE LEADERSHIP AND HR Conference, a collaboration between the Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri Bankers Associations, celebrated its 18th year on a chilly, damp day in Overland Park. NEW this year were exhibitors who were available to converse with the attendees during breaks throughout the day about wealth management options, conducting background checks, graduate school opportunities and HR management resources. This proved to be a win-win for both the exhibitors and bankers. Inspiring! Funny! Passionate! Real! are just some of the adjectives that describe the opening keynote speaker, Kevin Wright. Kevin explained that to be the best leader, you must be the best you … and, that you can’t be who you are and who you’re becoming at the same time! He also illustrated how the five dimensions of leadership — Professional, Relational, Community, Financial and Wellness — integrate into both our personal and work lives, sometimes causing conf lict. Kevin challenged the group to think about why they are here and what their dream goals are in life and in their career and how to set a game plan to achieve those goals. What’s stopping YOU from being that leader? Two rounds of breakout sessions followed the opening keynote, addressing such topics as human capital management techniques, nontraditional performance reviews, strategic HR practices and managing conf licts. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to delve a little deeper into many of the issues that were raised in the first general session. Back by popular demand, a group of experts were invited to serve on a panel to share their experiences with leadership and human resource issues. Facilitated by Brenda Clark Hamilton, each panelist presented a different perspective in order to diversify the discussion. Shan Hanes, President and CEO of First National Bank of Elkhart, KS, represented executive management; Susan Koranda, Executive Vice President of Security Bank in Laurel, NE, spoke about workforce culture and communications; and Tom Dowling, an attorney with the Stinson Leonard Street law firm, shared his recommendations for managing legal risk in the workplace. The attendees were then able to ask the panelists questions about particular challenges they are facing or question them further about issues presented in their opening remarks. Day one was rounded out with Brenda Clark Hamilton’s advice on bringing your “A” game to every aspect of your life. In this fun, interactive session, Brenda presented five strategies to stay vibrant and upbeat: 1) Develop your emotional intelligence versus your intellect; 2) Know that your mood and attitude are contagious, both at home and at the workplace; 3) Make a positive impact with your 93 percent tone of voice and body language; 4) Determine your own identity by asking “who do I want to be?” 5) Live and work your Mojo! Remember, people are drawn to happy people, so choose to be happy and grateful every day. Day two opened with a content-packed session by Amy Cole, Vice President of Human Resources at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Many people have aspirations of what they want their career to look like, but lack the knowledge of how to get there. Amy shared strategies and tools to help attendees assess where they are in their career timeline, identify personal goals, make a plan to achieve them and support employees in their career development at the same time. The conference came to an end with an inspirational message from educator, author, speaker and entrepreneur Joel Christiansen. Known for his wit, wisdom and just plain common sense, Joel passionately believes leadership is earned, excellence trumps mediocrity and that good things happen when you do the right thing. Both collaborative leadership and values-driven leadership were addressed through illustration and exercises, which led to a discussion of Joel’s six tenets of leadership: 1) Happiness, 2) Excellence, 3) Ethics and Ethical Conduct, 4) Passion, 5) Purpose and 6) Presence. Joel closed the session by stressing that when you lead from the HEART, you are destined to exhibit Humility, Excellence, Accountability, Reliability, and Trust. Next year’s Tristate Leadership and HR Conference will be held March 27 – 28 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Overland Park.