My aspirations were to become a commercial real estate lender, and while some may have said I could never measure up, I knew it was up to me to tell my own story.
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Back in 1985, I was just starting out in my career as a credit analyst at Worcester County Institution for Savings. At the time, banking and commercial lending was very much a male-dominated industry, so it was no surprise most of the commercial lenders and credit analysts in my department were male. My aspirations were to become a commercial real estate lender, and while some may have said I could never measure up, I knew it was up to me to tell my own story.
A critical part of my story centers around education. In order to excel in my job, I’d need as much knowledge as I could possibly get, so I began taking courses for my certificate in commercial real estate at Boston University. I earned my master’s degree in business from Assumption University. In addition to formal degrees, I made it a priority to learn from anyone willing to teach me. This willingness to learn went a long way in helping me stand out in a positive way.
One of my first managers took notice of my efforts. From the start, he supported me, gave me opportunities to grow, and treated me with respect. He saw my strong work ethic and insatiable desire for knowledge. This desire for knowledge increased my confidence and helped show my commitment to our team and the bank as a whole. I focused on being the best version of myself, always willing to go the extra mile, which truly meant something to my boss, allowing us to forge a strong partnership. All I learned and accomplished during that time would not have been possible had I not earned his respect.
Learning to lead can be extremely rewarding if done well. I’ve learned from both good and bad managers over the course of my career, and while they’ve all helped in various ways, they’ve all made me ask myself the same question: “What will make me a better person and leader?” I think back to my first manager’s leadership style. He trusted me enough to work independently, allowing me to grow. He empowered me to make many decisions on my own, which made me feel the work I was doing made a difference. I felt invested and committed to the success of the organization.
Emulating his hands-off leadership style has always been a challenge for me. When I’m in control, I feel as though I can ensure a perfect outcome, something I strive for. Being in control is not always feasible, though, and good can be good enough. Internal growth has helped me to no longer seek out only perfection, but rather to recognize the great work that is accomplished. Providing individuals this autonomy allows them the opportunity to generate new ideas, make choices and have control of what they can offer. This balanced approach allows the individuals and the team the independence to learn and grow, knowing they may make mistakes and treating them with respect along the way.
When combining mutual respect and independence, stronger teams can be developed, and new leaders born.
Maria Heskes-Allard is senior vice president and senior lender at Bay State Savings Bank in Worcester.
