Telling the Right Story (wsg Jennifer Charters)

During this episode, You Me and Your Top Three host, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Jennifer Charters, executive vice president and CIO at Flagstar Bank. She discusses how leaders can use the power of storytelling to drive clarity of purpose and consistency of transformation. Jennifer also shares how she has honed this superpower as a chief-of-staff to a global executive before embracing this same method to take on her own corporate officer role. She shares her Top Three including her spouse who creates a safe-zone to question the right way of doing things to bosses who help mold her perspective to current colleagues who give her the space to truly move her organization from good to great and to her fellow Women in Technology who, with her, continue to shape the landscape for women in the IT profession. Lastly, you must hear what she has to say about building intentional habits. About Jennifer Charters Jennifer Charters joined Flagstar Bank in June 2018 as executive vice president and chief information officer. In her new position, she is responsible for providing overall executive leadership and strategic direction for the IT organization, including the successful delivery of technology initiatives and management of IT operations. Previously, she was chief information officer, Corporate Technology, at Ally Financial. She is an experienced professional with 24 years of experience in IT financial services and telecommunications. She serves as vice president of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology. Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview 1:18      Influential leadership vs. control leadership 8:18      Jennifer Charters’ career and the positive impact of successful storytelling Segment 2: The “Top Three” 9:20     Charters reflects on the impact being able to play and explore from an early age played on her career 15:54   “What do I want to do for the next 12 years?” 16:49   “Not wanting to close too many doors too quickly” 19:38   Charters’ “Top Three” starters with her husband Jim Charters who serves as an understanding, sounding board for problem solving 22:43   Charters’ “Top Three” builds with the former leaders she has worked for including Cheryl Railey who highlighted the importance of relationships and managing up 27:40   Charters’ “Top Three” continues with Michael Baresich who emphasized the impact successful storytelling can have on strategy and purpose 34:40   Charters’ “Top Three” expands with current leaders she works with including Alessandro DiNello who challenged her to see technology as an enabler to the business model 39:37   Charters’ “Top Three” also includes Lee Smith who gives her freedom and has established trust for her to do what she needs to successfully execute the technology 45:02   Charters’ “Top Three” conclude with Jane Sydlowski and John Bonapace who brought her into the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Segment 3: Impact of Technology and Lessons Learned from the Financial Services Industry 49:28   “What advice do you give to leaders to get closer to the mindset of industry service with technology serving as an enabler?” 51:02   “If you don’t feel like you’re continuing to learn… grow and like the organization is not continuing to invest in you, you might want to think about if you’re in the right place.” 52:10   Today’s increase in technology acceleration Segment 4: Wrapping Up 53:34   Building the right habits to be a better, braver leader 55:56   How to stay in contact with Jennifer Additional Information Contact Jennifer Charters: Jennifer’s LinkedIn Contact Gregg Garrett: Gregg’s LinkedIn Gregg’s Twitter Gregg’s Bio Contact CGS Advisors: Website LinkedIn Twitter

Om Podcasten

You, Me, and Your Top Three is a podcast focused on exploring leadership in the connecting world. Specifically, the podcast invites leaders to tell stories, reflect, and discuss their views on: - disruptions in industry and society; - how they are leading transformations considering these disruptions - brave leadership to drive transformation. It is this last point where we focus most of the discussion, asking our guests to share their insights into the relationships they have with their “Top 3” closest advisors. It is our observation and experience that as the world connects, the importance of a diverse set of counselors is increasing in value. For some this may be a formal advisor who has been contracted on behalf of the company. For most this will be deep relationships in which they have been invested and nurtured. Through stories and discussion, we strive to celebrate the art of giving and receiving advice. The stories that are told are heartfelt and real. At the root we are exploring the process of knowledge building, relationship building, and perhaps most importantly, confidence building. After all, it takes a brave leader to battle the inertia that exists in industries, our organizations, and in ourselves. It is our hope that as successful leaders open up about around the subjects and the way in which they interact with their closest confidants, that our listeners will, in turn, reflect on their own “virtual board of advisors.” Over time they will then surround themselves with those who help them stretch toward greatness and lead bravely in the connecting world.