A little context
I remember in the early 80s when my cousin Vanessa got her first job in banking. It was a sign of success to be in anything financial services related.
Fast forward 30 years, when I fronted up Impact’s personal development part of ING’s programme for their young joiners. I remember the speaker before me saying, “people like banking but now they don’t like banks”. Which sums up the situation quite well. And where I have been involved in supporting those open to change.
Emerging Talent to Executives
In a competitive market, ING saw the importance of attracting and nurturing their talent. And provided a 4 year development programme for their high potential graduates. Our part was to help them enhance their self awareness, learn how to be high performing cross cultural teams, and inspire them to be leaders who take action, including taking responsibility for creating a balanced life.
Other programmes focused on individual leadership and team development included RBS, Swiss Re and co-operative Migros Bank. And significantly, working solely and directly with Direct Line International’s executive team, prior to a major acquisition. Facilitating strategic team development retreats, directly observing their dynamics in board meetings and giving feedback as well as 1:1 coaching.
A future vision
Change is an inside job. Every person, team and organization will need to dedicate themselves to change, for financial services to be in service of people and planet.
The only piece I have written about banking was in 2012 but with ongoing scandals, it (unfortunately) keeps relevant. And is that continual call for us to step up.
I don’t know what the future financial system could be. But as proposed in this visualization on industrial healing inspired by the work of B.Lorraine Smith, I think it needs to include this.
“where industry is decolonized, grievances are expressed, and racial, social and environmental justice restored. Where the grip of old stories, patterns, greed and fear are loosened. And land and fortunes are re-distributed to reset the paradigm”.
If you are in the financial industry and want to co-create life-affirming futures, let’s talk!
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Like many freelance consultants, the majority of my corporate leadership work has been as an associate or collaborator with a ´bigger entity´. Respecting that the case studies and client relationship belongs with them (In this case Lane4 and Impact International), it is also important for me (and my potential clients) to understand the contribution I have made and can make in service of #peopleandplanet. Hence this piece. Looking forward to our conversation.
photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash