Pub. 6 2017 Issue 7

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 12 2017 BLOK CONCLUDES WITH FINAL SESSION T he 2017 BLOK Class convened at the Prairie Band Casino and Resort in Mayetta on September 18-19 for their fourth and final session of the yearlong program. The 19-member class was welcomed by a panel discussion featuring KBA Chairman Ron Johnson (CEO, Community National Bank, Seneca), KBA Chairman-elect Chris Donnelly (President and CEO, Bank of the Prairie, Olathe), and Former KBA Chairman and State Bank Commissioner Ed Splichal, who shared their insights on leadership and what led them to serve on KBA Board of Directors and the positive of KBA Board Chairman. At the conclusion of the first day of training, the class members were treated to a special closing session dinner event featuring musical performances by KBA staff and KBA Chairman Ron Johnson. The next morning began bright and early with an engaging session titled, “Differentiating Your Leadership Brand and Avoiding Leadership Self-Deception” led by Ted Garnett, president of PS Culture Matters. Garnett, who was also a featured part of BLOK Session II, encouraged participants to evaluate their respective bank’s mission statement and stressed that all banks should value their customers so each bank needs to identify and communicate what really differentiates them in the marketplace. To gain practical experience, Garnett challenged BLOK class members to create a personal or professional mission built upon each individual’s values that could be executed through the identification of critical objectives. Garnett also taught participants conceptual tools to improve their leadership skills within their own bank teams to get results. The class had been working in small groups for the last five months to complete a book report assignment based on, “Leadership and Self-Deception” written by The Arbinger Institute. Each group reported not only on the main takeaways of the book as visually represented on their team flag, but each individual also gave an account of how they applied a lesson from the book to either their personal or professional life. Having completed their BLOK training experience, the class will graduate during the 2018 Harold A. Stones Public Affairs Conference scheduled for February 7th in Topeka. 2017 BLOK Sponsors: Bankers’ Bank of Kansas CalTech Central States Capital Markets, LLC INTRUST Bank, N.A. KBA Insurance, Inc. Professional Bank Consultants, LLC Security 1st Title The BLOK Class was treated to special musical entertainment provided by KBA staff.