---
title: "Learning to Lead: 5 Things a Leader Must Learn"
description: Read this blog by Sue West, President & COO of Plansmith, to learn 5 things a great leader does.
image: https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/LearningToLead.jpg
---

[CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-323-3281](https://www.plansmith.reachproductions.net/project/call-toll-free-1-800-323-3281/)

[![Plansmith](https://blog.plansmith.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Plansmith-Logo.png?width=764&height=135&name=Plansmith-Logo.png "Plansmith")](https://www4.plansmith.com)

- Solutions 
    - [Budgeting](https://www4.plansmith.com/budgeting/)
    - [ALM](https://www4.plansmith.com/alm) 
          - [ALM Advisory Services](https://www4.plansmith.com/alm/advisory-services/)
    - [CECL](https://www4.plansmith.com/cecl/)
    - [Strategy](https://www4.plansmith.com/strategy/) 
          - [Market Intelligence](https://www4.plansmith.com/market-intelligence/)
- Products 
    - [StrategyGPS](https://www4.plansmith.com/strategygps/)
    - [Compass](https://www4.plansmith.com/compass/)
    - [BankersGPS](https://www4.plansmith.com/bankersgps/)
- Resources 
    - [Blog](https://blog.plansmith.com/)
    - [Videos](https://plansmith.wistia.com/projects/7qemazkqii)
    - [Compass Tutorials](https://info.plansmith.com/compass-tutorials)
    - [Lunch N’ Learn](https://info.plansmith.com/lunch-n-learns)
    - [Webinars](https://www4.plansmith.com/webinars/)
    - [About](https://www4.plansmith.com/about/)
- [Schedule A Discovery Call](https://www4.plansmith.com/contact-us/)
- [CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-323-3281](tel:8003233281)

# Plansmith Blog

# Learning to Lead: 5 Things a Leader Must Learn

Posted by [Sue West](https://blog.plansmith.com/author/sue-west) on 12/28/16 7:56 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

From my very first job at 15, I knew I had management potential. I was always able to coordinate a variety of projects at once. I often compare myself to a circus act. You know, the one that keeps the plates spinning on sticks at one time? Now known as "multitasking."

I studied marketing and business management, and at every stage of my life I've held management positions. The reason I make this distinction is because until three years ago, when I became president at Plansmith, I had no real idea what it meant to lead. And it’s been truly eye-opening.

I thought leadership meant efficiencies and problem solving. Never afraid of hard work, I welcomed challenges. Situation, solution, situation, solution. Very clear and measurable.  But this certainly was not.

This new position requires me to *understand* *the people* I work with. Not what they do, but how they *feel* about what they do. Wow, feelings… I wasn’t prepared for that!

Plansmith employees take great pride in their customer base and sincerely care about the clients' success. It’s now my turn to take the same care with them and show that their success is Plansmith’s success.

Here are five things I've learned during my transition from *manager* to *leader* that particularly stand out.

**5 Things A Leader Must Learn:**

1. To actively listen
2. To not over-react
3. To ask others for help
4. To view situations from multiple perspectives
5. That patience is key to implementing change

So, as I head into my third year in this position, I've learned to appreciate what leadership means, and that it’s not necessarily instinctive. Like all new skills, leadership needs to be learned and practiced.

And lucky for me, I have a great leader to learn from.

 

[![Subscribe to Our Blog!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2363460/57ccbd8d-d6d1-4da4-b546-9f0f9a968dd5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2363460/57ccbd8d-d6d1-4da4-b546-9f0f9a968dd5)

 

 Topics: [strategic thinking](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/strategic-thinking), [ceo](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/ceo), [bank strategy](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/bank-strategy), [strategic planning for banks](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/strategic-planning-for-banks), [leadership](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/leadership), [employee human resources for banks](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/employee-human-resources-for-banks), [modern human resources strategy for banks](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/modern-human-resources-strategy-for-banks)

### Subscribe Now!

### Posts by Tag

- [community bank planning (52)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank-planning)
- [community bank strategy (52)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank-strategy)
- [community bank (49)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank)
- [community bank budget software (45)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank-budget-software)
- [credit union planning (44)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/credit-union-planning)
- [community bank budgeting (42)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank-budgeting)
- [budgeting (39)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/budgeting)
- [interest rate risk (35)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/interest-rate-risk)
- [community bank interest rate risk (33)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank-interest-rate-risk)
- [community bank budget (30)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank-budget)
- [strategic planning (28)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/strategic-planning)
- [asset liability management (27)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/asset-liability-management)
- [interest rate risk management (27)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/interest-rate-risk-management)
- [community bank marketing strategy (26)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank-marketing-strategy)
- [fintech (26)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/fintech)
- [community bank ALCO (25)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank-alco)
- [social media for community banks (24)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/social-media-for-community-banks)
- [strategy (24)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/strategy)
- [IRR (22)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/irr)
- [bank strategy (21)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/bank-strategy)
- [social media (20)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/social-media)
- [strategic thinking (20)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/strategic-thinking)
- [ALCO (19)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/alco)
- [community bank forecasting (17)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank-forecasting)
- [strategic planning for banks (17)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/strategic-planning-for-banks)
- [ceo (16)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/ceo)
- [Strategic Plan (12)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/strategic-plan)
- [bank strategic planning software (12)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/bank-strategic-planning-software)
- [community bank planning software (12)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/community-bank-planning-software)
- [leadership (12)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/leadership)
- [CECL (11)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/cecl)
- [Customer Service (9)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/customer-service)
- [playbook (9)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/playbook)
- [alm (8)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/alm)
- [bank budget (8)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/bank-budget)
- [bank irr reporting (8)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/bank-irr-reporting)
- [liquidity (8)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/liquidity)
- [credit union interest rate risk (7)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/credit-union-interest-rate-risk)
- [crisis planning (7)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/crisis-planning)
- [forecasting (7)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/forecasting)
- [budget playbook (6)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/budget-playbook)
- [compass (6)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/compass)
- [Outsource IRR (5)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/outsource-irr)
- [banker education (5)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/banker-education)
- [surge deposits (5)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/surge-deposits)
- [bank mission vision core values (4)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/bank-mission-vision-core-values)
- [continuing education (4)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/continuing-education)
- [credit union budgeting (4)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/credit-union-budgeting)
- [millennials (4)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/millennials)
- [reforecasting (4)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/reforecasting)
- [IRR Assumptions (3)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/irr-assumptions)
- [board training (3)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/board-training)
- [branch budgeting (3)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/branch-budgeting)
- [decay rate (3)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/decay-rate)
- [millennial employees in banking (3)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/millennial-employees-in-banking)
- [rising rates (3)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/rising-rates)
- [what-ifs (3)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/what-ifs)
- [AI (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/ai)
- [FDIC (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/fdic)
- [backtesting (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/backtesting)
- [bank brand marketing (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/bank-brand-marketing)
- [board of directors (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/board-of-directors)
- [compliance (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/compliance)
- [cost center budgeting (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/cost-center-budgeting)
- [deposit study (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/deposit-study)
- [deposit trends (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/deposit-trends)
- [funds transfer pricing (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/funds-transfer-pricing)
- [market intelligence (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/market-intelligence)
- [millennials in banking (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/millennials-in-banking)
- [modern human resources strategy for banks (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/modern-human-resources-strategy-for-banks)
- [peer analysis (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/peer-analysis)
- [stress testing (2)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/stress-testing)
- [Insider (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/insider)
- [asset prepayments (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/asset-prepayments)
- [baby boomers (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/baby-boomers)
- [brand (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/brand)
- [client spotlight (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/client-spotlight)
- [contingency funding plan (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/contingency-funding-plan)
- [credit union strategic planning software (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/credit-union-strategic-planning-software)
- [employee human resources for banks (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/employee-human-resources-for-banks)
- [event (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/event)
- [financial institution succession planning (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/financial-institution-succession-planning)
- [funding (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/funding)
- [loan prepayments (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/loan-prepayments)
- [market analysis (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/market-analysis)
- [negative rates (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/negative-rates)
- [policy (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/policy)
- [ppp loans (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/ppp-loans)
- [profitability (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/profitability)
- [sensitivity testing (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/sensitivity-testing)
- [social video for banks (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/social-video-for-banks)
- [strategic action plan (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/strategic-action-plan)
- [trade show (1)](https://blog.plansmith.com/topic/trade-show)

See all

### Recent Posts

- Navigate 
    - [Home](https://www4.plansmith.com/)
    - [Budgeting](https://www4.plansmith.com/budgeting/)
    - [Asset Liability Management](https://www4.plansmith.com/alm/)
    - [CECL](https://www4.plansmith.com/cecl/)
    - [Strategy](https://www4.plansmith.com/strategy/)
    - [Market Intelligence](https://www4.plansmith.com/market-intelligence/)
    - [About](https://www4.plansmith.com/about/)
    - [Contact Us](https://www4.plansmith.com/contact-us/)
- Products 
    - [StrategyGPS](https://www4.plansmith.com/strategygps/)
    - [Compass](https://www4.plansmith.com/compass/)
    - [BankersGPS](https://www4.plansmith.com/bankersgps/)
- Resources 
    - [Blog](https://blog.plansmith.com)
    - [Videos](https://plansmith.wistia.com/projects/7qemazkqii)
    - [Compass Tutorials](https://info.plansmith.com/compass-tutorials)
    - [Lunch n' Learns](https://info.plansmith.com/lunch-n-learns)
    - [Webinars](https://www4.plansmith.com/webinars/)

#### Contact

1827 Walden Office Square, Ste. 350  
Schaumburg IL 60173

Toll Free: 1.800.323.3281  
Local: 1.847.359.4045  
Fax: 1.847.705.8200

info@plansmith.com

Copyright 2018 | Plansmith Corporation

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Sue West",
    "url" : "https://blog.plansmith.com/author/sue-west"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2016-12-28T13:56:41.000Z",
  "headline" : "Learning to Lead: 5 Things a Leader Must Learn",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Blog_Pictures/LearningToLead.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.plansmith.com/learning-to-lead-5-things-a-great-leader-does",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.plansmith.com/hubfs/Plansmith-Logo-Budgeting-ALM-Outsourcing-01.png"
    },
    "name" : "Plansmith"
  }
}
```