Key Lessons from "Beyond Resilience" and Patterns of Success in Banking

We’re continuing our series of Fintech Reads — bringing  together finance and fintech leaders for open conversation and networking about books, challenges, and opportunities — with this month’s nonfiction pick: Beyond Resilience: Patterns of Success in Fintech and Digital Transformation by Leda Glyptis. We recently joined Leda and others from the Fintech Takes Network for an open discussion about the book and what inspired Leda to write it. 

Here are 3 of the key takeaways from our discussion about Beyond Resilience:

1. Learn Success (and Failure) from Others

Leda’s innate curiosity of patterns for success within the banking industry drove her to author Beyond Resilience. The best way to find that answer? Talking to real people with real success stories. Leda interviewed many professionals across the industry to find out exactly what they did to find success — and highlighted 65 of those stories in the book.

These individuals shared powerful stories about the missteps they experienced on their path to reach their ultimate goals. Success isn’t about never failing — it’s about getting back up and trying again. When we feel like we’re hitting speed bump after speed bump, we can think back on what Leda said in the discussion: “Even the most successful people I talked to don’t see themselves as success stories.”

2. Avoid Writing Plans that End Up in a Drawer

Leda shared how too many leaders come forward with the best intentions to change their business with a well-thought out plan, only to stick it in a drawer without any real action.

The banking industry is seeing changes left and right. While it’s easy to see the direction we want to go, it can be incredibly difficult to put the plan in motion without alignment from all the key stakeholders. To avoid falling prey to this lack of action, organizations should make smaller, less rigid plans that are actionable. For instance, instead of trying to complete a full digital transformation in a single pass, break it down into a 3- to 6-month plan that keeps us on the right track. Taking the time to create an actionable plan pays dividends down the road. 

3. Don’t Let Habits Hold You Back 

In addition to creating actionable plans, the book reminds us that sometimes, old habits die hard. And, they can hold us back. Leda says that our own habits pull us back because, without support, we will table problems, concerns, innovations, and strategic decisions. As we look ahead to rapid innovation and technology developments like artificial intelligence, the industry is at an inflection point. The time is now to be creative and not held back by habits.