009 Leadership tips and the “gifts” of dyslexia

Leadership tips and the gifts of dyslexia are shared openly by Chris Bannister in this refreshing interview. Having worked across many financial market roles over the years, Chris talks about being the authentic you. The unique you. Whether it’s leading a team or delivering bad news, being the same person you are in every situation in and out of work, conversations are easier and people can respond better. Mastering the art of managing dyslexia, Chris uses this to his advantage – a great interview. Be encouraged.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

“Treating people equally”

“I treat everyone pretty much the same. I think that's something that is very, very important to me, I am equally as comfortable sitting at a board meeting or going to an important event, as I am just sitting at the end of the desk and chatting to someone. The preparation might be a little bit different for each of those.”

“Being Authentic”

“I try and be the same person, in each and every different interaction that I have, because I think that's when I'm at my best.”

“The leadership gift of Dyslexia”

“I found out when I was 49, that I had dyslexia, which I think in some way, it probably had nothing to do with my impatience, but it probably had a lot to do with the fact that I didn't enjoy my levels. And, you know, over the course of my career, I've learned to turn the dyslexia from a disadvantage to a huge advantage, I (now) think it's a huge advantage… certainly in management, because it gives you a very wide view of life and the ability to manage 20 things at once… I think is it's really helpful if you're in a in a role like mine.”

“It’s a gift in management, because as you say, it really allows you to step back, see the whole picture, rather than really focusing in too much on the detail and losing sight of some of the more complexities that exist around any issues that you're thinking about.”

“The importance of Rapport building”

“…having the EQ to navigate the company, is probably as equally as important as having the IQ to do the job”

“Empathetic Communication”

“…if there's one time where you should be genuine, really genuine and honest and a human being, it's definitely when you have to deliver bad news…”

ABOUT CHRIS BANNISTER

Born and educated in the United Kingdom and a British Citizen, Chris Bannister joined the Bank in 1985.

Chris worked in a number of financial markets roles within the London branch of Westpac prior to joining Group Treasury in Sydney in 2001 as Head of Global Funding. In this role, Chris had responsibility for all wholesale funding, securitization, liquidity management and from 2005, capital execution, across the Westpac group.

Chris returned to London in February 2007 and in October 2008 assumed the role of General Manager, Europe and Americas, relinquishing his funding responsibilities shortly thereafter. In his present role, Chris has responsibility for the Bank’s business interests (predominantly wholesale) in the Northern Hemisphere.

Chris holds a BSc (hons) in Financial Services from Manchester University and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Financial Services (CAifs).

CONNECT WITH CHRIS BANNISTER

linkedin.com/in/chris-bannister-87121688

ABOUT THE HOST – ALLI SPARGO

Alli is the mother of two daughters and a son, a wife, a daughter and a sister. She is also an executive leadership coach who passionately believes that every individual has the potential to be who they want to be, and do what they want to do (she is living proof of that!): to BE the BEST version of themselves. Alli specialises in behavioural performance as an executive leadership and systemic team coach. Her breadth of business experience, together with her coaching and facilitation expertise, enables her t