Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.’s Post

Our Chairman and CEO, Orvin Kimbrough, was featured in a recent St. Louis Business Journal character piece, discussing his remarkable journey and his dedication to financial inclusion. In the article, Orv opens up about overcoming childhood adversity to become a leader in the St. Louis business community. He shares his passion for #sharedprosperity and empowering everyone to achieve financial success. We're incredibly proud of Orv's leadership and his commitment to making a difference in our community. Read the full article linked below. #StLouis #Finance #CommunityBanking #Leadership

As most of us come to the end of a work week, what better way to close out the week than to enjoy an insightful article that can send us into the weekend more reflective, more aware, and more hopeful for the next week as we re-enter our workspace and re-engage with our teams. Heidrick & Struggles' Partner Les Csorba of CEO & Board of Directors Practice recently published this thought article on leadership awareness "Too aware to fail" filled with insights, anecdotes and questions to ponder. Our own filters can be both friend and foe. What's in your rearview mirror? #leadership #selfawareness #blindspots

Compromising blind spots - From condescending behavior ("The Smartest Person in the Room typically refuses to listen to those who express opposing points of view and rejects others’ ideas out of hand") to bullying ("ruling by abuse"), here are five CEO leadership blind spots that "can compromise the integrity and prosperity" of a business or organization. "Leaders must cultivate self-awareness, actively seek feedback, and be willing to address their weaknesses." #leadership #BarriersToGrowth #LongTermSuccess #CEO https://lnkd.in/gJfuDrQH

Dangerous CEO blind spots - From condescending behavior ("The Smartest Person in the Room typically refuses to listen to those who express opposing points of view and rejects others’ ideas out of hand") to bullying ("ruling by abuse"), here are five CEO leadership blind spots that "can compromise the integrity and prosperity" of a business or organization. "Leaders must cultivate self-awareness, actively seek feedback, and be willing to address their weaknesses." #leadership #BarriersToGrowth #LongTermSuccess #CEO https://lnkd.in/gSgiaUK7

What's your Big Challenge? I've now been at the helm as CEO of Family First CU for 7 months. How time flies! During this time, I've navigated a State Exam, an Annual Audit, and an IT Audit. Great times 🙂 (wink, wink). Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the Michigan Credit Union League's New CEO event. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet and connect with others in the same position. One of my big questions to everyone was, "What is your biggest challenge?" Unsurprisingly, the main answer was staff. Closely followed by the need for Loan and Membership Growth. Today I would like to explore the staffing challenge and would love your input. Challenges ranged from getting enough staff, getting staff on "your team," training, and motivation, these issues are top of mind for many of us. I find myself facing the same challenges, and it got me thinking: How do we motivate our staff? How do we gain their trust? How do we become the mentors they need? How do we navigate this crucial part of our business? How do we meet the needs of the business while staying "understanding?" How do we communicate to the different personality types? How do we make the "hard" decisions to let someone go? How long before we can expect to see change? How do we "know" that we are hiring the right person for the job? These questions are critical as we strive to create a thriving, cohesive team. Looking forward to exploring new strategies and sharing insights with this amazing community. #CreditUnions #Leadership #TeamBuilding #Motivation #Growth #NewCEO

SYL SPOTLIGHT: Chelsea Brock Tell us about you and your Credit Union journey. How did you get to where you are now? I started my journey as a casual MSR and very quickly moved into a full time MSR. Due to my eagerness for knowledge and growth, I pushed to work towards the Deposit Supervisor Role which I currently hold. I love what the credit union stands for and how involved in the communities we are. Why did you join SYL? The main push for me to join SYL came from my co worker Kirstin. She was recently on the committee and watching her growth in leadership during her 3 years on the committee made me very excited to apply and join! I hope to expand my leadership skills and gain new friends/mentors along the way. If money, time, and other people’s opinions didn’t matter, what would you be doing? Helping people. Whether that’s from a beach in Mexico or the streets of Alameda, my purpose in life is to make a difference in people’s lives. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? If you want something….. Ask for it! Favorite book you ever read? The first book that comes to mind is Beautiful Joe - it’s a classic about a dog that had a very rough start but persevered and ended with a happy life. What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation? The benefits and rewards of coaching kids. I have coached many teams over the years and there is so much to learn and understand about kids and how to motivate them and build their confidence or sometimes to just leave them be for a minute to figure things out. What do you wish someone taught you a long time ago? I wish I would have learned a long time ago to not worry what other people think. I have always hesitated to stand out because of this. I am slowly overcoming this obstacle now. What motivates you? SUCCESS! Also making a difference both professionally and personally. What does the word Leadership mean to you? Leadership is earned through positive influence. A strong leader, in my mind, is trustworthy and dependable. Someone who builds people up. Who can have difficult discussions without being condescending. A leader is someone who has the ability to promote leadership in others. #SYL2024 #YoungLeaders #SKCreditUnions #TheCreditUnionDifference #Leadership

"Sound decision-making is not about being certain, it's about doing your level best with the information in front of you." I really enjoyed this article by Former US President Barack Obama. We are faced with decisions in every sphere of our life. What has been your approach to making tough decisions? This is Obama’s strategy: 1️⃣ Listen to experts and follow the facts 2️⃣ Consider your goals and weigh them against your principles 3️⃣ Encourage diverse perspectives, even contrarian views 4️⃣ Take time to think, even in high-pressure situations 5️⃣ Trust your team and your own judgment What decision-making strategies do you use in your own leadership journey? #Leadership #DecisionMaking https://lnkd.in/dN42X2S2

09.12.2024: 'Forrest Allen Ward's Words,' a daily column ... intended to encourage and support. "Wealth is passed from one generation to another ... usually seamlessly. Wealthy people know how to guard their finances and their companies. They teach their children how to operate all they have through a system of Trusts and Foundations. This system of multigenerational wealth is different from the 'run of the mill' job where people are trading time for money. People rarely become wealthy through a job. 'Middle-class people try their best to save their money. Wealthy p[people invest their money.' That's what Warren Buffet says. John D. Rockefeller set up the National Board of Education to teach people just enough reading, writing, and arithmetic to make them good employees. He didn't want people to be business owners because that would mean there would be competition. There is a reason the rich keep getting richer. They do not do what employees do. They invest in their trusts and foundations ... and that is all they do. They would never be found being someone's employee. Their strategy is to teach their children how having trusts and foundations can be operated through a system designed by the government ... and perfectly legal, too. They keep their advantage well run and they always have enough money ... with more coming through their system. John D. Rockefeller did it, JP Morgan did it, Andrew Carnegie did it ... all the wealthiest do it, as well. They do not gamble. They earn money systematically, carefully, and quietly to safeguard all they have ... and so their children will have it all, too. It is worth investigating.  It is all the same with leadership. Their children learn leadership and master its principles so that it is multigenerational, too. It is the best advantage!" - Forrest Allen Ward #ussuccesscenter #newpossibilities #leadership #significance #success #executiveleadership #leadershippresence #results #powerconnector #authenticleadership #network #globalcollaboration #leadership #workplaceculture #corporateculture #leadershipdevelopment #salescoaching #salesdevelopment

Thrilled to shine a spotlight on an extraordinary professional: Bailey DeVries. 🌟 Throughout her tenure at the U.S. Small Business Administration, Bailey has been nothing short of a dynamo, bringing unmatched energy and a fearless approach to tackling the most challenging and intricate issues facing the SBA/Private Investment markets. What sets Bailey apart isn't just her ability to navigate complex problems with ease but her inherently collaborative spirit. She engages with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners with a commercial savvy and an open-mindedness that we rarely see. Her blend of skill, intellect, and spirit makes Bailey not just a leader but a force of nature. I've witnessed firsthand how Bailey's presence can transform a room - her energy is contagious, and her leadership, inspiring. The attached photo captures a quintessential moment: Bailey commanding the attention of everyone at a White House presentation, a testament to her impact and influence. It's worth noting that Bailey would never seek out this kind of attention or ask for such praise - her humility and focus on the work at hand are part of what makes her truly speacial. She has a talented team at the SBA and she would immediately deflect well-deserved praise to her team (another sign of a true leader). I have no doubt that Bailey will continue to excel in any endeavor she undertakes. For those who have the privilege to work alongside her, you're indeed in the company of someone truly exceptional. Let's celebrate the trailblazers among us who redefine excellence and pave the way for others. Bailey, here's to your continued success! #ImpactfulLeadership #Inspiration #SBA #SuccessStory #Teamwork #Collaboration #WhiteHouse #PublicService #BusinessInnovation #PrivateEquity #Investing #Finance #VentureCapital #PEFirm #AlternativeInvestments #GrowthCapital #CapitalAllocation #StrategicInvesting 

Thrilled to have my new work “Five CEO Blind Spots that Put the Company at Risk,” featured in Chief Executive Group (https://lnkd.in/g5DUgUeH). Blind spots are behaviors leaders exhibit that negatively affect a company’s culture or performance. Based on more than 25 years observing, analyzing and influencing C-Suite and board dynamics, I identified the top five blind spots that inhibit high performance. I used powerful real-life examples to illustrate each behavior making it easy for CEOs to recognize their own blind spots — the first step in overcoming them. Please share your experience and thoughts in the comments. #ChiefExecutive #leadership #HighperformanceLeadership #CfHP #highperformance