Steward Leaders: Not About Us

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Kay Lynn McLaughlin about the relationship between the CEO and finance team, drawing on McLaughlin's experience as a lender, controller, CFO, and CEO.

The conversation explores trust, transparency, accountability, disagreements, relationships with auditors and boards, communication within finance teams, the human meaning behind financial numbers, and the importance of protecting t...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Sandy Brown about stewardship in bank mergers and acquisitions, with particular attention to people, culture, transparency, negotiation, and long-term value creation.

They explore how leaders can steward employees, customers, communities, and shareholders from strategic planning through integration, including the importance of organizational readiness, relationship-building, risk ...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Ryan McCool about selfless leadership, the leadership lessons Ryan drew from his experience as a U.S. Marine Corps officer, and the ideas behind his book, It's Not About You! Discovering Selfless Leadership. The conversation explores connecting everyday work to a greater purpose, respecting employees' personal time, taking accountability rather than assigning blame, understanding ...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Paul Barnhurst about the evolving role of FP&A (financial planning and analysis) professionals, stewardship in financial leadership, and how finance can create greater value through sound analysis, business partnership, and wise decision-making. They discuss technical excellence, AI, empathy, operational understanding, communication, burnout, and the importance of presenting t...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Scott Dueser about building an enduring culture of exceptional customer service, leadership, and stewardship at First Financial Bank. They discuss intentional culture-building, employee development, customer care, leadership training, hiring, teamwork, and creating joy through people-centered leadership.

• How First Financial Bank developed and reinforced its 21 non-negotiables...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Scott Dueser about stewardship, fiduciary leadership, and building enduring banking institutions. They discuss stewardship, relationships, generational customers, governance, culture, performance, and the responsibilities leaders owe to customers, employees, shareholders, and communities.

• Stewardship as enhancing what has been entrusted rather than merely protecting it.
• Balan...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Jeff Mercer about leadership development in community banking, the Texas Tech School of Banking, and the stewardship mindset required for effective bankers and bank directors. The discussion explores building better bankers, developing leadership through practice, preparing future bank leaders and directors, and the importance of governance, accountability, and lifelong learning.

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Barry L. Rowan about stewardship of time, relationships, wealth, and about the freedom that comes from recognizing God's ownership of every aspect of life. Barry shares how surrender, open-handed living, and faithful stewardship transform leadership, work, and personal fulfillment.

• Stewardship extends far beyond money to include relationships, stories, time, talents, and oppo...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Barry L. Rowan about vocation, stewardship, joy, and the integration of faith and work. Barry reflects on his corporate leadership journey, the origins of his book, The Spiritual Art of Business, and the transformative role of surrender in both life and leadership.

• Barry describes stewardship as managing God's gifts for the benefit of others.
• Joy grows out of gratitude and a ...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Ash Noah about artificial intelligence, stewardship, and the future of finance leadership. They discuss AI governance, human oversight, professional judgment, and why stewardship becomes more important—not less—as technology advances.

• AI will improve business guidance while increasing the need for governance and stewardship.
• Finance leaders must understand where h...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Ash Noah about stewardship, trust, and the unique role finance leaders play in guiding and governing organizations. They explore the Global Management Accounting Principles, responsibilities of CFOs, and why independence, transparency, and ethics are foundational to value creation.

• The finance function serves two core purposes: business guidance and business governance.
• Trust...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Drayton McLane Jr. and Drayton McLane III about stewardship, accountability, and consistency between personal values and public leadership. They discuss teaching through example, transparency, joy, family influence, and the long-term impact leaders leave behind.

• Why stewardship requires consistency between personal and professional life.
• How leaders function as teachers throu...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Drayton McLane Jr. and Drayton McLane III about stewardship, integrity, and the long-term responsibilities of leadership in business. They discuss how values, accountability, finance, vendor relationships, and organizational culture shape companies that endure across generations.

• How family values and Christian principles shaped the McLane business culture across generations.
...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Christopher Williston about organizational culture, leadership influence, and how stewardship principles shape healthy institutions. They discuss building trust, sustaining accountability, and the daily choices leaders make that strengthen or weaken culture.

• How stewardship and culture intersect inside organizations.
• Why high-trust, high-responsibility environments outperform...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Christopher Williston about stewardship, leadership, and the responsibility carried by leaders in community banking. They explore how trust, humility, and healthy culture shape effective leadership and how shared burdens within teams create stronger organizations.

• The stewardship responsibility community bank leaders carry for customers, employees, and communities.
• Why trust ...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Bill Chittenden about leadership, stewardship, and the role community banks play in strengthening local communities. They discuss succession planning, board governance, lifelong learning, and how steward leadership and servant leadership shape effective bank leadership.

• The mission and impact of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking in developing future banking leaders.
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In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Katherine Leary Alsdorf about how the gospel – the good news of and about Jesus Christ – reshapes the way Christians think about work, leadership, and vocation. They discuss how believers can pursue excellence, humility, and cultural renewal in their daily work while participating in God’s larger redemptive purposes in the world.

• How the gospel restores and ...

In this conversation, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Katherine Leary Alsdorf about the theology of work, the biblical narrative behind vocation, and insights from the book Every Good Endeavor. They explore how faith reshapes our understanding of work, why work often feels broken, and how the gospel provides a framework for meaningful vocation.

• The biblical narrative of creation, fall, and redemption provides the framework for u...

In this episode, Eric R. Alexander speaks with Julie Schniers about the power of recognition and appreciation in shaping healthy workplace culture. They explore how leaders can create meaningful engagement through personalized recognition and connection.

• Recognition and appreciation are key drivers of employee engagement and retention.
• Effective leaders tailor recognition to individual personalities and needs.
• Peer-to-peer rec...