I am writing this article shortly after the New Year, and as always, it is a good time to reflect on the past year and think about the upcoming year. Like most of us, I am somewhat surprised we are still mired in a pandemic with no sign of relief on the horizon. Maybe it was naivete on my part or possibly foolish optimism, but I certainly didn’t initially think there would be such enormous and far-reaching impacts, or we would still be amid a global pandemic going on three years. I’m sure most of you, like me, are growing weary of it all.

So, I think about how life has changed for so many of us and how it has affected and will continue to affect our lives as bankers. Many of us have had a couple of pretty good years in terms of financial performance. Despite Net Interest Margins shrinking, our income statements have been bolstered by non-interest income from SBA PPP loan fees and fee income generated by extraordinary volumes of residential mortgage lending. It has not all been roses, however, as some of our colleagues in areas of high agricultural concentration were faced with a terrible drought and an epic grasshopper infestation. This unexpected turn created difficulty for everyone involved.

As bankers, it seems we must always be vigilant to keep the wolves at bay. We try to be proactive, but so many things come at us unexpectedly, and so many of these factors are out of our control. So, how do we continue to provide service to our communities while remaining safe and sound? No one knows the exact formula, but I think there are some universals good to keep in mind in both life and in banking.

First, we must be grateful for the opportunity to help our customers and friends. We have been uniquely positioned to powerfully help those in our communities. This is an honor, and, in my opinion, gratitude brings a mindset that opens doors to success. When you appreciate opportunities afforded, the universe has a way of rewarding you; often exceeding your expectations. I don’t know why it works this way, but I have high confidence in the veracity of the philosophy.

Next, I believe we must be humble in our approach. No matter how brilliant you are, the people carrying forward your vision are the driving force behind your organization’s success. Without them, none of us would be where we are today. Remembering the absolute value of your people and rewarding them for their support will take your bank to unprecedented heights. English poet John Donne wrote in the 17th century, “No man is an island.” This is as remarkably true today as it was then. Without our people, we go nowhere.

I also think we must practice accountability. Do what we say we are going to do and if something goes wrong, accept responsibility. Only by taking ownership of our mistakes can we also take credit for our successes. A wise man once told me, “Nothing is ever anybody else’s fault.” I try to remember that and be accountable to my customers and employees. I don’t believe you can be an effective leader without accountability.

Lastly, I would implore everyone to incorporate kindness into their repertoire of skills. It’s amazing how much you can get out of people by treating them with kindness. Happy employees who feel respected and heard will work their hearts out for you. Similarly, customers who can feel your kindness will be customers for life and become your best advertising. This pillar may be the most important of all. With so much division in the world today, it is amazing what a little kindness will do to bridge these divides. With kindness, we become better versions of ourselves, and the improvement in our lives is tangible.

Of course, these four simple tenets are not the cure-all for every challenge we face in life or in banking. But they also aren’t going to cause you any trouble either. Having gratitude along with being humble, accountable, and kind will help you reach good outcomes in your life and your bank. Sometimes, its easy to get mired in spreadsheets and performance metrics and forget we are all just riding around on this big blue ball together and most everyone is just doing their best to get by.

Banking is a vehicle we use to help people get by a little better, and if we do it right, we are lucky enough to have meaningful careers where we can be proud of who we are and what we do for our customers and friends. Somehow, I think this is probably the most important factor, even though it never shows up on any peer analysis or bank exam.

I want to wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year, and I sincerely hope you reach all the goals you set and have a year that makes you feel good about all you have done. After all, when you close your eyes at night that is the one metric which will let you sleep peacefully with a smile on your face.