FEATURE ARTICLE
LESSONS
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LIFE
LEADERSHIP
CONVERSATION WITH KISHA PORCH
ATF, CIA, or FBI agent were my top career choices when I entered college. Criminal justice and how people think and make decisions intrigued me Little did I know, there was another plan for me. I played golf and tennis in high school and received a scholarship to play tennis in college. Shortly after the tennis season started during my first year of college, I realized that I didn't like the culture or coaching, so on the third day, I quit the team. While I was confident in my decision, I wasn't sure I had the same confidence to break the news to my parents
During my visit home, I sat my dad, a seasoned executive in corporate America, and mother, a notable leader in the social services field, down for a chat. I took a deep breath and said, "I don't like my tennis coach or the atmosphere, so I quit the team." My father, who was always highly supportive, said, "You made an adult decision, and I support you, but how are you going to pay for school?" I said, "So you're not going to pay for me to go to school?" My father quickly responded, "Absolutely not " I was shocked! My father said, "You made an adult decision; now you've got to stand by your decision and devise a strategy for ensuring your ability to pay for college "
Hearing my father say he was not paying for college felt like a weight hit me, but when I think back, it was the best thing that could have ever happened. I often tell people that I'm sure it was difficult for him to tell his baby girl, and only child, that he wasn't going to pay for her to go to college
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THAT "NO" CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF MY LIFE.
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DON'T TALK YOURSELF OUT OF IT; YOU DON'T NEED TO HAVE IT ALL FIGURED OUT.
Kisha Porch
Weeks later, at a MBNA, now Bank of America, campus recruiting event, I was given my first start in the finance industry and was hired to do telemarketing. I remember soliciting credit cards over the telephone using pen and paper to document every step Customers had to accept and authorize the credit card account before we could enter any details into the system; it was intense.
Those humble beginnings and the countless lessons I learned, taught me how to examine my family's financial habits and led to a stellar career of 29 years in banking.
After an early retirement from Bank of America after 23 years, I continued to pursue my career and community service goals at JPMorgan Chase Here I have the authority to ensure we provide opportunities and access to equitable experiences with resources to help people achieve their financial goals. JPMorgan Chase is a company that embodies diversity, equity, and inclusion When a company tells you, "Go be you," or "We value you because of who you are and what you bring to the table," that's an inspiring message.
Every day I get to inspire and make a difference in the lives of the 5,000+ team I lead which serves the 66+million customers. My teammates, peers, and community motivate me to keep going. It is an honor to partner with them and serve them every day. In return, they teach me what they need to succeed, which frequently matches what our clients and customers need. This the power of knowledge knowing how to use your resources, having equitable access to those resources, and simply knowing that when you know better, you do better.
These past 29 years have taught me three defining traits that have contributed to my success: The first is servanthood. Early on, I learned that the best leaders realize that serving the people they lead will put them in a position to tap into their vision and thought process and receive buy in for the next steps. However, no one will join in if you don't take advantage of the chance to meet those people and learn about their priorities. The success of my team is a barometer of my success. As a result, the more I help my people, the more I ensure they have everything they need to succeed. That alone will result in my success, especially with our customers. The more opportunities we have to help our customers ensure they have everything they need to live financially secure lives, the better.
The second is the ability to maintain intellectual curiosity. You must be curious. Ask the hard questions that others won't ask you Experiment! Try new things and take chances Avoid complacency. When you become complacent, you lose sight of the bigger picture. Be authentic. Imposter syndrome is real and sometimes creeps in. I experienced it early in my career; I remember it so vividly. We often think we have to it all together, and that's not true. We've all had a "fake it until you make it" situation.
There were times in my career when I didn't have support. I felt alone. I understand what it
means and how it feels to receive confirmation from your leader who believes you can do it Therefore, I support women in business. Mentoring, sponsoring, and ensuring that women have opportunities to interact with other women and gain experience is critical. Once we realize that the sum is greater than the individual, our lives and opportunities will change for the better. There is room at the table for more than one person.
I became a better leader when I got comfortable with who I was a Black female from Cleveland, Ohio, who grew up in the banking industry and could tell the woman in the mirror, "You are enough." Many leaders along the way encouraged me to be myself and reminded me of the value I add to any space I am in regardless of my skin color or gender
I applied for a promotion early in my career, knowing I was a shoo in. I was doing exceptionally well. I was amongst the best leaders in the country, my team adored me, how could they deny me? Well, they did. I didn't get the promotion, and I was devastated. When I talked it over with my mentor, he said, "There's a difference between having people work for you and creating an environment where people want to work for you Which one are you?" I tried to answer the question, but couldn't stop crying.
He challenged me to meet with my peers and ask them a single question: “Would you work for me?” I asked five people out of the group, and four refused. It crushed me, but I am thankful for the lessons it taught me. That rejection was a turning point in my professional life.
Realizing how important it is to win as a team is more valuable than winning alone. Having EQ, or emotional quotient, is that feeling of connection to other people that motivates people to work together towards a common objective They will have faith in you, your influence, your vision, and the assurance that you will support them. I want people to want to work with me because they know I will partner with them, develop them, challenge them, and be open to the same. I want people to want to work with me because they know I will have their best interest at heart
The third quality that has contributed to my success is authenticity. I’ve learned to value myself, what I bring to the table, and who I have become a woman of faith, a wife, a mother with a strong sisterhood, and a boss
My advice for women leaders and female business owners is to take risks.
Don't talk yourself out of it; you don't need to have it all figured out
Give yourself some grace and trust in yourself.
Failure is the best teacher.
Celebrate yourself and don't wait for someone else to do it.
Keep moving.
AMPLIFYING HER VOICE.
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