{"id":1486,"date":"2021-04-05T20:47:58","date_gmt":"2021-04-05T20:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/?p=1486"},"modified":"2021-04-07T13:30:52","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T13:30:52","slug":"wsu-supports-merchants-banks-emerging-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wsu-supports-merchants-banks-emerging-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"WSU Supports Merchants Bank\u2019s Emerging Leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

People are a company\u2019s greatest assets, especially when they are valued and empowered to strive for advancement where they are rather than seek it elsewhere.<\/p>\n

One effective way of creating this sense of empowerment is through participation in ongoing training programs that focus on the development of strong leadership skills.<\/p>\n

Attracting and retaining effective leaders at every level has and continues to contribute to the success of Merchants Bank.<\/p>\n

For the past three years, Merchants Bank has collaborated with Winona State University (WSU) as their workforce development partner to deliver university-verified credentials for emerging leaders completing the I Believe Leadership Series.<\/em><\/p>\n

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This series brings coworkers from various Merchants Bank departments, branches and leadership roles together to develop a comprehensive set of practical skills including coaching, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, group dynamics, and team building.<\/p>\n

Merchants’ employees hone their leadership skills through classroom style sessions, one-on-one coaching, accountability groups, a service project<\/a>\u00a0and final capstone presentation.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2021\/04\/Leadership-Class-2021.jpg” title_text=”Leadership-Class-2021″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

WSU\u2019s Business Outreach Coordinator, Julie Kiehne, had the opportunity to join Merchants’ cohort in March to celebrate its members\u2019 capstone projects.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Julie Kiehne” job_title=”Business Outreach Coordinator” company_name=”Winona State University” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”15px||||false|false”]<\/p>\n

Merchants has something special here. The students in this program understand that serving as a leader is more than holding a position or rank, it\u2019s about passion and dedication to the Merchant\u2019s team and customers.<\/p>\n

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The program was developed by Merchants Training Director, Kristine Valk, who built the courses to ensure the training aligned with Merchants\u2019 culture and core values.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Kristine Valk” job_title=”Training Director” company_name=”Merchants Bank” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”15px||||false|false”]<\/p>\n

As we go through the program, attendees learn more about themselves and about one another as they embrace each other\u2019s talents.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s really become an environment of trust and openness that\u2019s resulted in more collaborative work.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”15px||||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_blurb title=”About the Program” content_max_width=”1100px” admin_label=”About the Program” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″]<\/p>\n

The program consists of 12 sessions throughout the year and covers a variety of topics, including:<\/p>\n