Leadership: How Do We Know When Our Message is Heard

Leadership: How Do We Know When Our Message is Heard?
By Nancy Huber
President and CEO, Fifth Third Bank (Central Indiana)

I had the opportunity to attend the Indiana University Kelley School of Business forum last week and came away feeling renewed and reinvigorated. Who would not be energized listening to bright professors and successful CEOs of companies from diverse industries share their views on relevant events of the day? Even as an accomplished business woman, I felt challenged by the conversation and debate that I experienced that day. How could I take what they were discussing and incorporate their ideas into my business? It made me wonder, did the speakers realize how impactful their words were?

I’ve always loved great conversation and debate. I learned it from my parents at our dinner table growing up. Every night my dad would ask my sisters, brother and me questions about our day. From those questions or based on some current event, we would talk throughout dinner.  My father was a feisty guy; he loved to “stir up the monkeys”, as he used to say. Often we’d talk about a subject one night and my dad would challenge us with a specific point of view, pro or con. The next night, we’d continue the conversation and Dad would take the opposite side of the discussion. While I learned my father’s leanings as I grew older, I appreciate the fact that he wanted to teach us kids how to think and make informed decisions. My parents were the first leaders who made an impression on me.  I wonder if they knew how impactful our nightly debates were for me?

When I started my career I quickly rose through the ranks by working hard and constantly asking questions. I’m sure my former bosses would remember me as bright, but probably annoying because I never stopped asking questions. I wanted to learn about everything and I knew that if I asked enough questions I’d eventually learn what I needed and wanted to know. I watched everything my supervisors did and the way they did it. I wanted to learn everything about my boss, who by virtue of his/her  position, was that to which I aspired. I wonder if they knew how impactful their words and actions were for me?

As I matured as a business woman, assuming management positions and leadership roles, I looked around for those who, by my definition, were the most successful. They tended to be the more inspirational leaders and balanced managers so I started to explore what it was that they did to become the leaders and managers they were. I took lots of classes. I read lots of books. I took many instruments to understand my natural tendencies and what I could do to develop other skills. I climbed ropes and pushed people over walls as I attempted to learn how to become a better leader. I was inspired by the people I studied with on my leadership journey. I wonder if they know how impactful their partnership was for me?

I’m the mother of two incredible young adult women, soon to be a grandmother. My girls and I now talk about their lives growing up and I am always surprised by our different memories of the same event. To parents of perfect children, this may not make sense, but I lost my cool a lot when my girls were teenagers. They were bright, social creatures who pushed every limit possible. I found myself yelling too often and not feeling good about it. As with many things in life, I knew someone had the answer to my frustration so after much exploration I found a book that talked about not arguing with your teenager but just calmly sharing your thoughts, ignoring the rolling eyes and indignant huffs! The book insisted that no matter what, your child heard you despite their outward signs. I hoped but I never knew.  Over the years, my daughters and I have talked about some horrendous, funny, dumb things that they did as teenagers and I am surprised time and time again by their memories compared to mine. While I remember the anxiety and frustration, they often remember the lesson they learned based on the experience and on the guidance I gave them at the time. I guess the book was right…..they heard me even when I didn’t believe they were listening. I didn’t have to wonder anymore. I had made a big impact on them and didn’t even know it.

Leadership comes in all shapes and sizes. Mothers and fathers. Bosses and friends. Business leaders and university professors.  Sometimes leaders move the world like we’re seeing today in the Middle East. Sometimes leaders change the way we do business like we’re seeing across the United States, state by state. And, sometimes, leaders prepare young people for the challenges they’ll encounter as they grow up.

As leaders, we should never forget the profound impact our words and actions have on others, whether we know it or not.

Ms. Huber serves as president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (Central Indiana) which has $3 billion in assets. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Bank’s four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Retail Banking, Consumer Lending and Investment Advisors. Nancy joined Fifth Third Bank in 2001.  Most recently, she served as market president of Fifth Third Bank (Northeastern Ohio). Ms. Huber has more than 20 years of experience in retail merchandising, management and operations. Prior to joining Fifth Third Bank, she held the position of divisional vice president for Parisian Department Stores, a division of Saks, Inc. Ms. Huber received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Ms. Huber serves on the board of directors for WFYI, Indianapolis Art Center, Conner Prairie and the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.

Partners

  • Platinum Partner

  • Gold Partner

  • Gold Partner

  • Gold Partner

  • Gold Partner

  • Gold Partner

  • Gold Partner

  • Gold Partner

  • Gold Partner

  • Silver Partner
  • BMO Harris

    Silver Partner

  • Silver Partner

  • Silver Partner

  • Silver Partner
  • Katz, Sapper & Miller

    Silver Partner

  • Silver Partner

  • Silver Partner

  • Silver Partner