Independent Banker - June 2022 - 7

FROM THE TOP
" Community continuation is not
about checking a regulatory box;
it means putting a name to the
people who will be the future of
our banks. "
Brad M. Bolton
Chairman, ICBA
Brad M. Bolton is president and
CEO of Community Spirit Bank in
Red Bay, Ala.
ne of my favorite sayings my
dad passed onto me is also a
motto I live by: " How far you go in
life depends on your being tender
with the young, compassionate
with the aged, sympathetic with the
striving and tolerant of the weak and
the strong. Because someday in life,
you will have been all of these. "
This advice led me to a new way
of contemplating leadership. My
journey to this position didn't start
with me knowing what to do; it took
the wisdom of others to guide me. It's
our teams-our employees in every
level of the organization, with their
varied experiences, strengths and
skills-who help us grow as leaders
and as banks.
That's why as we consider our
future, we need to do so with our
people top of mind. In our bank, we
have retired the phrase " succession
planning " and replaced it with
" community continuation. " Our upand-coming
leaders will be the ones
O
to provide service to our customers
and communities in the future. That's
really who we're talking about when
we look at the future of our banks.
And how we invest in our
people now will make or break our
community continuation plans.
For example, when we take time to
explain why we're doing what we're
doing, we're educating our staff on
the bank's strategy and processes.
Whether it is underwriting a loan,
writing up a credit memo, detailing a
purchase of an investment security or
analyzing a profit and loss statement,
staff must look at more than their
individual responsibilities. Our future
My top three
A checklist for effective
community continuation:
Create a culture of continuation
like you would of compliance.
Select future leaders by
identifying employees who
embody your values.
Seek out consultants who
support the mission of
community banks.
leaders must see the bigger picture for
our banks to be successful.
As we prepare for what's to come,
the more specific we can be, the
better. Community continuation is
not about checking a regulatory box;
it means putting a name to the people
who will be the future of our banks.
Bringing them in on our vision also
will strengthen their ties to us and
create an even more dedicated team.
Spreading this concept of
community continuation has risen
to become one of my primary goals
as chairman. So, as you read this
month's issue, featuring emerging
community bank leaders, I hope you
will consider how you can redefine
traditional succession planning
and grow your own vision for
community continuation.
We all want our communities
to continue being healthy and
vibrant for the next generation,
and when we shift our mindset and
put people in full view, we become
the quintessential community
continuators. But, as my favorite
quote says, how far we go depends
upon how we treat the people along
our path. 
Connect with Brad @BradMBolton
independentbanker.org Q 7
Photo by Chris Williams
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - June 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Independent Banker - June 2022
