A willingness to venture into unchartered territory has been Kristen Ziegler’s biggest and most consistent risk. “I attribute it to my career progression because I’ve never stepped into a new position or asked to take on an unfamiliar responsibility with the belief that I was 100% ready for it,” she said. “Rather, I had enough belief in myself that I could and would do whatever it takes to be a valuable contributor to the success of the company and the people; if I do those two things every day, the risk turns into many rewards.”
Ziegler has found many rewards in her position as the chief human resources officer at The Bank of Missouri, a community leader in the financial industry. The company provides an omni-channel customer experience, reaching every customer in the manner they choose to bank.
In her role, the past year has involved navigating economic challenges, cultural and political differences, increases in cybercrime on critical infrastructure, a decline in emotional health and rising costs of healthcare.
“The stress of personal and professional commitments impacts people on many levels and part of my leadership journey included taking a step back this year to intentionally focus on being a more mindful leader and practicing self-regulation,” said Ziegler. “I’ve recognized that although we all hear people say things, truly taking the time to listen can help me strengthen my own leadership and help others through challenging times and conversations.”
Like many companies, The Bank of Missouri is in the middle of a digital transformation and the rapid evolution of digital technologies has changed workforce dynamics, said Ziegler. “Through the evolution of change, it will be critical to help employees learn new technology, adopt to the changes and thrive in a new working environment,” she said. “Establishing a deeper meaning and connection between employees and technology to drive collaborative intelligence will be key, and this will include employees at every level of the company.”
As a leader, Ziegler said she has been told that her authentic leadership style is what sets her apart from others. “I am guided by my own internal compass which leads me to be self-aware, be relatable, create meaningful relationships with my teams and create an environment where humor is encouraged and mistakes are stepping stones to stronger performance,” she said.
Her authenticity has also impacted how she mentors other leaders and conducts informal peer coaching while also actively embracing the Titan 100 community, where she has earned the honor of a titan for the second time.
