This past May, I had the distinct honor of speaking at the Retail Rally of a local gem, Bank of Bird-in-Hand. This full-service community bank holds a special place in history as the first in the United States to open following the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010. Founded in the picturesque Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, by a group of local Amish and non-Amish investors, this bank is as unique as the town itself.
For those who know me, my connection to Lancaster, PA, runs deep. My mother, Gloria, was born and raised in Lancaster, where she met Charles. So, if it weren't for this tremendous town, yours truly wouldn't be here! Returning to this area is always a special moment, and this event was no exception. Bank of Bird-in-Hand is so tremendous that they even have mobile centers that travel to meet the business needs of local farmers!
I had the pleasure of meeting President and CEO at Bank of Bird in Hand, Lori Maley, and Chief Operating Officer, Fay Linkiewicz at a Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers (PACB) women’s event last fall. It was fantastic to reconnect with them and witness their operations firsthand. The theme of the evening's celebration was "What is Your Superpower?" Each branch took the stage and celebrated their outstanding service or traits like Resilience, Tenacity, and Optimism. They chose theme songs for their entrances and dressed alike, creating a fun and spirited atmosphere that set the stage for an incredible night of information and inspiration.
Unlocking the Power of Personality: Your personality can be the greatest contributor to your success or the biggest detriment to your happiness. I am a huge advocate of The Big 5 Personality Construct, or OCEAN, which stands for Openness to New Experiences, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism. I even wrote a book about it for pre-teens with my rescue pets, Pawsitive Purrsonality Plus! Ideally, one should score high on the first four traits and low on the last one, also known as Negativity, or as I like to call it, Stinkin' Thinkin'.
We started by identifying the everyday enemies we face. First up is The P.I.T.A., which stands for Pain in the Arse! These individuals wield bones of contention, excel at stirring quarrels, and are masters at expressing their offense and disappointment.
Next, we have the C.A.V.E. people, Citizens Against Virtually Everything! Regardless of the issue or challenge, they will always find a million reasons why something won't work!
Lastly, we encountered the Slacktose Tolerant, those who show up to work but contribute absolutely no productivity. They are experts at passing the buck and deflecting work.
The Superheroes of Bird-in-Hand Fortunately, I was in a room full of Bird-in-Hand Superheroes whose brilliant personalities saved the day! The P.I.T.A.s folded under the work ethic, duty-bound, laser-focused zeal of the 'Get 'er Done' superheroes! The C.A.V.E. people crumbled as the energy, collaboration, and enthusiasm of the 'We Got This' teams swept in with their torrent of motivation and productivity. And the Slacktose Tolerant were left crying over spilt milk as the 'We Will Find a Way' warriors deployed their creativity and strategic problem-solving skills.
It was a wonderful evening of celebration and recognition, showcasing the tremendous blend of personalities that make the Bank of Bird-in-Hand extraordinary. If you find yourself in South Central PA, be sure to check out this incredible enterprise and see how its leaders and employees come together to blend people and tasks in a super heroic way!
Bring the Magic to Your Organization If you'd like Dr. Tracey to come and share the Big Five Personality profile and how it can elevate your team to superhero levels, please reach out. Let's unlock the hidden strengths of your team and create a culture of excellence and collaboration.
