At C Level

ConnectOne Bank President Elizabeth Magennis took the stage at the New York Bankers Association Financial Services Forum for a lively discussion on A View from the C-Suite. Touching on the evolution of technology and AI in banking, talent and outlook on 2025, it was an incredibly insightful conversation. Joined by NYBA CEO Clare Cusack, moderator Mika Moser, At C Level and panelists Jeffrey M. Levy, Community Bank, N.A. & Ruth Mahoney, NBT Bank

Culture Starts at the Top, But Can Fall Apart in the Middle Strong company culture begins with leadership, but what happens when it breaks down in the middle? Too often, we miss the warning signs when culture disconnects between leadership and middle management. When alignment is lost, the very foundation of what we stand for can weaken—without us even realizing it. Building a thriving culture means ensuring every level of the organization is engaged and empowered. As leaders, we have to bridge the gap to ensure our culture is strong at all levels! Leadership is challenging. Don’t navigate it alone, we can support you and your team. #CompanyCulture #Leadership #Engagement #TeamAlignment #OrganizationalSuccess #CultureMatters #LeadershipDevelopment #MiddleManagement #CultureAtWork

Today, we have many tools to help us assess and create opportunities for our teams to thrive. Many organizations, including banks, are utilizing personality and behavioral assessments to understand their team members better. These tools reveal strengths, communication preferences, and how individuals process information—allowing leaders to ensure team members are in the right roles and can be led effectively based on their natural abilities. By embracing these insights, we can foster stronger teams, boost productivity, and create an environment where everyone can succeed! Which tools are you using to unlock your team’s potential? If you need help launching an assessment, we’re here to help! #Leadership #TeamSuccess #BehavioralAssessments #StrengthsBasedLeadership #EmployeeDevelopment #WorkplaceTools #LeadershipDevelopment #OrganizationalSuccess #EmpoweringTeams

Here’s a perk that benefits everyone: Leadership Training Investing in leadership development boosts both employee growth and company success. These types of programs empower team members to enhance their skills, drive personal and professional growth, and prepares them for future leadership roles. For companies, it fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, leading to a stronger and more dynamic organization. By investing in leadership development, you create a win-win scenario that propels your team and company forward. #LeadershipDevelopment #EmployeeGrowth #WinWin

And just like that…it’s been two years since I launched At C Level I often get asked, WHY… After years of working with financial institutions of all sizes across the country, conversations about the same issues of finding and retaining talent kept coming up. This would often lead to HOW do we diversify the banking industry, particularly in the csuite and the board. It sparked the energy to create a way to help support these leaders as they build cultures that the best talent from all backgrounds want to be a part of, so At C Level was started. What we do: - Find top talent for key leadership roles - Prepare rising leaders for executive positions - Develop strategies to close leadership gaps We specialize in recruiting and developing senior-level executives ensuring that your leadership team is equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. If you have a leadership gap that you need to close, let’s talk!

Five of Today’s Toughest Leadership Challenges: 1. Managing Multi-Generational Teams: Five generations in the workplace, each with distinct expectations and work styles. 2. Navigating Hybrid & Remote Work Environments: The shift in where work gets done requires different skills to manage dispersed teams effectively. 3. Building More Diverse Teams: Recognizing that team members from various backgrounds and experiences bring different perspectives and ways of working. 4. Adapting to Technology Advancements: The increased options for communication, such as video, AI, chat, and other software, require leaders to adapt to new ways of collaborating. 5. Meeting Talent Expectations: Employees have more choices and are using social media platforms to voice their experiences, shaping leadership expectations. Good leaders are always growing and learning. It's essential to create space for personal development, self-reflection, and identifying the resources needed for improvement.

Resilient Leadership: 5 Strategies for Navigating Uncertainty Change is inevitable, but it’s also where growth happens. Resilient leaders see change as an opportunity to sharpen their skills to effectively lead their teams through uncertainty. Understand Reactions: Everyone responds to change differently. Recognize these differences to address your team’s needs effectively. Compassion: Acknowledge that change is hard. Show empathy and support as your team navigates it. Communication: Be clear, concise, and frequent in your updates. Regularly listen to your team and keep them informed about where the organization is headed. Celebrate Successes: Highlight and celebrate wins throughout the process. This reinforces the positive aspects of change and keeps the momentum going. Adaptability: Be flexible and open to adjusting your approach as needed. Encourage your team to embrace change and adapt to new challenges. As leaders, our role is to guide our teams through change, ensuring we emerge stronger together. #Leadership #ChangeManagement #ResilientLeadership

Are you making it easy for someone to say no to your idea? When presenting an idea or proposing a solution to an executive, learning to “speak the language” can go a long way. Many rising leaders trip up by: - Failing to consider the cost of the investment to the future or resources. - Considering the benefit but not the risk to the company’s strategic goals. - Forgetting to consider how the idea impacts other team members, clients, and shareholders. Understanding the full business impact and presenting data and facts to back up your idea can help you secure a thumbs up. Leadership is challenging. Don’t navigate it alone; we can support you and your team.  #Leadership #Growth #Innovation

Leadership expectations are changing. I’m consistently hearing from mid-level leaders caught in the transition from traditional to more inclusive style of leadership. The way employees want and need to be led is changing. Mid-senior level leaders have to adapt from the way they were taught to lead to how their teams want to be led. Effective leaders can recognize this shift and adjust accordingly to unleash the potential of their team members. Leadership is challenging. Don’t navigate it alone, we can support you and your team. #Leadership #Growth #Innovation