ConnectOne Bank

Kimberly Sayther

Through this article, Kimberly Sayther and Maria Gendelman emphasize their pioneering approach to banking culture. They highlight how prioritizing a talent-centric environment and aligning HR directly with culture initiatives has transformed their operations. The focus on nurturing employee growth, leveraging tools like the Predictive Index for optimal team dynamics and fostering a collaborative, inclusive workplace underscores their commitment to excellence and client satisfaction in a competitive financial landscape.

Banks have historically suffered from a perception stigma, often being viewed as overly conservative and transactional. As a result, they often struggle with attracting the next generation of talent or retaining top talent with competitive skill sets.

ConnectOne Bank has taken a unique approach to its talent engagement and growth in order to compete with some of the largest financial and tech companies in the country. This approach leverages a more talent-centric culture and establishes an environment where employees feel valued and employed to deliver exceptional services and solutions.From an employee’s first day start, our team crafted an onboarding experience that places an emphasis on the company’s culture and mission. ConnectOne’s goal is to ensure employees grasp the intricacies of operations while understanding our client base. We decided to operate on the unique premise that the human resource function would report directly to the chief culture officer. This deliberate alignment ensures that our company culture remains at the heart of all HR initiatives, laying a solid foundation for scalability and efficiency as our bank grows.In the process, we’ve been able to strengthen our operations, streamline processes and foster a culture-centric environment that thrives on collaboration and mutual support.

Now, our internal operations increasingly reflect our “relationship-banking” ethos, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and collaboration in our interactions with clients. Just as our bank values strong partnerships with business owners, our internal dynamics rely on a team-based structure and a culture of mutual respect among colleagues. This alignment not only enhances our workplace environment but also reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our clients.

Investing in our people also goes beyond understanding their current capabilities. ConnectOne Bank is a forward-thinking organization, and this holds true for our teams as well. Effective coaching our people to develop the managerial skills, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to create a strong career path remains a top focus for our learning anddevelopment team. Focusing on an individual's interests and goals creates an environment where team members feel valued and nurtured for the ability to flex their professional passions.

“Investing in our people isn't just about skills; it's about nurturing their passions and potential for long-term success. Our unique HR structure underpins this culture-centric ethos, fostering collaboration and efficiency throughout our operations."

Through a progressive suite of talent development programs, we are dedicated to supporting this type of employee growth, ensuring that everyone possesses the skills and knowledge necessary for both immediate and future challenges. This commitment to continuous learning and professional development underscores our belief in the potential of our people and the critical role they play in our bank's ongoing success.

Another important part of our strategy is the Predictive Index, a tool that our organization uses to enhance our understanding of team dynamics and individual strengths. This facilitates optimal role alignment, fostering an environment where collaboration and efficiency are not just aspirations but integral aspects of our everyday work. We are leaning into our team’s strengths. These insights help us ensure that our teams are cohesive, engaged and empowered, contributing to a positive and inclusive workplace environment. It also supports our recruiting function. The intelligence behind the Predictive Index allows us to add to or complete teams lacking a certain ability, personality trait or behavioral tendency needed to create a well-rounded synergy.

By looking inward and embracing a culture-first approach, we have strengthened our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. By prioritizing our people and fostering a workplace culture that values diversity, inclusionand collaboration, we are not only creating a more vibrant and fulfilling workplace for our employees but also building a foundation to conduct business that best meets the needs of our clients. This includes being responsive, transparent and forthright about any challenges to determine the best solutions. Ultimately, this builds trust across the organization and leads to better outcomes for our business, our clients and the local community and economy.