MBA seminar addresses management problems

Northwestern Financial Review, Mar 15, 2002

Since becoming president of the Minnesota Bankers Association last June, Mary Ellen Domeier has said education will be one of her top priorities - particularly the grooming of the next generation.

The MBA's Bank Leaders of Tomorrow/Bank Executive Seminar appeared to be a manifestation of this priority. The half-day seminar featured two speakers who encouraged bankers to rethink the way they communicate with customers and employees.

Susan Stout Mullineaux, president of Mullineaux Management Services, Lexington, Ky., stressed the importance of recognizing that community banks' strength is their ability to form meaningful, lasting relationships with customers. Mullineaux outlined what she called the `new realities' of banking. "Customers, as well as employees, have different needs today then they did 20 years ago," said Mullineaux. "Both are more sophisticated and have more options than they ever have."

Mullineaux stressed that to be an effective manager, one must recognize generational differences as well as personal differences and, to best relate to different people, a manager must break the golden rule. "Don't treat others as you want to be treated, but treat them as they would want to be treated," said Mullineaux.

Paul Batz, MDA Consulting Group, Minneapolis, presented a myriad of practical tips for implementing improved communication and management skills. Determine the dominant personality type of the people important to your success, he encouraged. "Then stop and think: Am I the same personality? Make a list of the thinkers, feelers, doers, and talkers around you, and develop your own strategy for how to communicate with them in a style most appropriate to them," said Batz.