Spencer Savings Bank Recognizes Anthony Niciejewski, NJBankers Emerging Leaders Rising Star Award Winner
Anthony Niciejewski, Spencer Savings Bank’s Business Banking Officer, was recently honored with the NJBankers Emerging Leaders Rising Star Award. Spencer sat down with Anthony to learn about paving a path to success – his way.
Elmwood Park, NJ, December 26, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Anthony Niciejewski, Spencer Savings Bank’s Business Banking Officer, was recently honored with the NJBankers Emerging Leaders Rising Star Award. Spencer sat down with Anthony to learn about paving a path to success – his way. A portion of the transcript from the interview is presented below; the full interview is available on Spencer's website (https://www.spencersavings.com/paving-a-path-to-success-with-njbankers-emerging-leaders-rising-star-award-winner/)
A first generation American of Polish descent, Anthony was raised mostly by his mother who was left to care for two children alone after his father passed away at an early age. A very strong and tough woman, she would instill in him some values that would prove to take him far. A path that has led to graduating top of his high school class, a college scholarship with NJ Stars, quick promotions at work and his most recent acknowledgement by his peers with the NJ Bankers’ Emerging Leaders Rising Star award.
The following interview was conducted by Spencer Savings Bank, with answers provided by Anthony Niciejewski, Spencer Savings Bank’s Business Banking Officer:
You are considered a millennial. How do you feel about the way society views millennials at times?
"People have a misconception about millennials. They think that they are lazy slackers. They think they don’t want to work hard or whatever the case is. I think you have to look at it from a different perspective and from the younger generation’s viewpoint. For myself and other people I went to school with, we entered an economy during a recession. We weren’t afforded as many opportunities as our parents were. Getting work was tough. A lot of my peers have student loan debt. It was not an easy time for the younger generation. We also have a different way of thinking. Our parents’ generation worked hard for the same company, their entire lives, and then retired. Many of us didn’t see our parents growing up because they were too busy working hard trying to provide for us. Millennials don’t necessarily want that kind of same life for their family. They are more involved in their childrens’ lives more. The work for them will always get done, but it doesn’t have to get done between the traditional hours of 9-5. If they can get it done on a Tues. night or a Sat. afternoon, they’ll do it then. They crave flexibility because they are balancing many personal and professional responsibilities and really value work/life balance."
What are your thoughts on leadership?
"The best thing that a manager can do is get their people promoted. It is not about being selfish and saying you are my best employee and I want to keep you. It’s about helping people grow. I think great leaders know they may lose a wonderful employee but realize that the best thing that they can do for someone is to help them move on to something bigger and better. I feel the good intent in that and the positive energy in that will come back to you eventually. It is great to give people opportunities. Having a defined employee training program also helps. It gives individuals a path to go on. If someone has a defined path, then they know how to get there – they then have an objective they can work towards. I’m a big advocate of employee training programs because they have worked for me in the past. This is good leadership. Aside from this, with today’s generation, if you don’t do this, they will get bored and look into joining other companies that do provide more opportunities."
How long have you been with Spencer and what were you hired to do?
"I was hired five years ago as a Business Development Officer. I came on board to help the Retail Banking division start their Small Business Lending program. The position has evolved and I’ve been able to learn so much and do some great work here. I’ve done sales, worked with and helped train the branch staff on the new product line, have written policies and procedures, etc. Spencer’s Small Business Lending program has been very successful and it was a great group effort with staff that really cares about helping business owners succeed. We’ve all worked together – listening to customers’ feedback, making adjustments, and always striving to create the best product that will suit their business needs. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some very knowledgeable people at Spencer who helped guide me."
About Spencer Savings Bank:
Spencer Savings Bank, a community bank headquartered in Elmwood Park, NJ, has been serving its local communities with integrity and pride for more than 75 years. The bank, serving consumers and businesses, operates 21 branches throughout New Jersey.
For more information, contact:
Anita Guerrero (SSB): 201-703-3800 x 8421
VP, Corporate Communications Director
A first generation American of Polish descent, Anthony was raised mostly by his mother who was left to care for two children alone after his father passed away at an early age. A very strong and tough woman, she would instill in him some values that would prove to take him far. A path that has led to graduating top of his high school class, a college scholarship with NJ Stars, quick promotions at work and his most recent acknowledgement by his peers with the NJ Bankers’ Emerging Leaders Rising Star award.
The following interview was conducted by Spencer Savings Bank, with answers provided by Anthony Niciejewski, Spencer Savings Bank’s Business Banking Officer:
You are considered a millennial. How do you feel about the way society views millennials at times?
"People have a misconception about millennials. They think that they are lazy slackers. They think they don’t want to work hard or whatever the case is. I think you have to look at it from a different perspective and from the younger generation’s viewpoint. For myself and other people I went to school with, we entered an economy during a recession. We weren’t afforded as many opportunities as our parents were. Getting work was tough. A lot of my peers have student loan debt. It was not an easy time for the younger generation. We also have a different way of thinking. Our parents’ generation worked hard for the same company, their entire lives, and then retired. Many of us didn’t see our parents growing up because they were too busy working hard trying to provide for us. Millennials don’t necessarily want that kind of same life for their family. They are more involved in their childrens’ lives more. The work for them will always get done, but it doesn’t have to get done between the traditional hours of 9-5. If they can get it done on a Tues. night or a Sat. afternoon, they’ll do it then. They crave flexibility because they are balancing many personal and professional responsibilities and really value work/life balance."
What are your thoughts on leadership?
"The best thing that a manager can do is get their people promoted. It is not about being selfish and saying you are my best employee and I want to keep you. It’s about helping people grow. I think great leaders know they may lose a wonderful employee but realize that the best thing that they can do for someone is to help them move on to something bigger and better. I feel the good intent in that and the positive energy in that will come back to you eventually. It is great to give people opportunities. Having a defined employee training program also helps. It gives individuals a path to go on. If someone has a defined path, then they know how to get there – they then have an objective they can work towards. I’m a big advocate of employee training programs because they have worked for me in the past. This is good leadership. Aside from this, with today’s generation, if you don’t do this, they will get bored and look into joining other companies that do provide more opportunities."
How long have you been with Spencer and what were you hired to do?
"I was hired five years ago as a Business Development Officer. I came on board to help the Retail Banking division start their Small Business Lending program. The position has evolved and I’ve been able to learn so much and do some great work here. I’ve done sales, worked with and helped train the branch staff on the new product line, have written policies and procedures, etc. Spencer’s Small Business Lending program has been very successful and it was a great group effort with staff that really cares about helping business owners succeed. We’ve all worked together – listening to customers’ feedback, making adjustments, and always striving to create the best product that will suit their business needs. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some very knowledgeable people at Spencer who helped guide me."
About Spencer Savings Bank:
Spencer Savings Bank, a community bank headquartered in Elmwood Park, NJ, has been serving its local communities with integrity and pride for more than 75 years. The bank, serving consumers and businesses, operates 21 branches throughout New Jersey.
For more information, contact:
Anita Guerrero (SSB): 201-703-3800 x 8421
VP, Corporate Communications Director
Contact
Spencer Savings Bank
Anita Guerrero
201-703-3800 x. 8421
https://www.spencersavings.com/
Anita Guerrero
201-703-3800 x. 8421
https://www.spencersavings.com/
Contact
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