By Alex Swanson, vice president business banking, Northwestern Bank
Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow (BOLT) | November 7 | Wisconsin Dells
This November, I had the privilege of attending the WBA BOLT Winter Leadership Summit at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. For about 60 of the attendees, this was their first experience at a BOLT Summit. Although it was just a one-day event, it was packed with valuable insights from knowledgeable speakers, and the level of engagement from the attendees was fantastic. With nearly 150 bankers in attendance from across the state, the Summit created a wonderful mix of perspectives and ideas from different areas of the banking industry.
Here are some of my personal key takeaways from each session.
Michael Graham: Developing a Growth Mindset
The first speaker of the day, Michael Graham from Midwestern Securities, delivered an insightful
presentation on the importance of adopting a growth mindset. He emphasized how crucial it is to shift from a fixed mindset, especially as we progress in our careers. Being aware of our mindset not only helps us grow individually, but also enhances our interactions with customers and colleagues.
Michael shared an interesting statistic: over the next 20 years, $68 trillion of wealth will be transferred to the next generation. This generational shift will bring new preferences in how people interact with financial services, and it’s essential that we keep an open mindset about these changes.
To cultivate a growth mindset, Michael suggested several practical strategies:
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- Self-awareness: Recognize when your mindset may be limiting your growth.
- Goal-setting: Establish both personal and professional goals.
- Challenge your limits: Step outside your comfort zone and embrace new challenges.
- Learn from failures: View setbacks as valuable learning experiences.
- Develop positive routines: Make time for self-care, exercise, and reading to maintain balance and mental clarity.
By taking time to set and track personal and professional goals, we can ensure that we stay on a path of continuous growth, even amidst the busyness of everyday tasks.
Mark Carpenter: Turning Conflict into Opportunity
The second speaker, Mark Carpenter, tackled a topic that resonates with nearly everyone—conflict in the workplace. While most people think of conflict as something negative, Mark explained that conflict can actually be a productive and positive force if handled correctly.
The key is to shift your mindset from being “Furious to Curious.” Instead of immediately jumping to conclusions or reacting emotionally, take a step back and seek to understand the root cause of the disagreement. By asking questions and focusing on the underlying reasons for the conflict, we can approach these situations with a problem-solving mindset.
Mark also emphasized the importance of knowing when to call a “time-out” during heated moments. Stepping away to cool down can make it easier to find a resolution later, once everyone has had time to reflect.
Beth Ridley: Fostering Belonging through Communication
Our final speaker of the day, Beth Ridley from Ridley Consulting Group, led a session on speaking up in support of belonging. In today’s diverse workplace, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and included is essential for team cohesion and success.
Beth focused on the concept of microaggressions—subtle, often unintentional actions or comments that can undermine someone’s sense of identity. Examples include mispronouncing someone’s name, giving backhanded compliments, or making assumptions about a person’s abilities based on their background.
Beth encouraged attendees to be more aware of how these small actions can have a big impact. Open, respectful communication is key to ensuring that everyone feels respected and heard in the workplace.
Conclusion
The WBA BOLT Winter Leadership Summit was a valuable opportunity for networking, learning, and growing as professionals in the banking industry. The diverse perspectives shared throughout the day—on mindset, conflict resolution, and fostering inclusion—provided practical insights that we can apply to both our professional and personal lives. I left the Summit with a renewed commitment to cultivating a growth mindset, approaching conflict constructively, and fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace.
I hope you will consider joining me and your banking peers for the WBA BOLT Summer Leadership Summit – June 5-6, 2025, in Wisconsin Dells!
Alex Swanson is VP-Business Banking with Northwestern Bank and also serves on the WBA BOLT Board of Directors.
