A leader unafraid of change
Ed “Jed” Barry had never been a banker before becoming CEO of a community bank in Maryland last year. Barry is notable for embracing aspects of leadership like vision and change. For example:
- He tries to “help people see what things could be versus what they historically have been.”
- He asks questions and tries to get beyond what his people think he wants to hear.
- Asked what changes he plans, Barry says, “What’s made banks successful in the past probably won’t be what makes them succeed in the future.”
- He asks job candidates what they want to do with their lives, and how he can help them get there.
His guiding principle: “Always tell the truth and be honest. Whether it’s good or bad, get to the heart of the matter.”
— Adapted from “Executive Profile: Ed ‘Jed’ Barry,” with Bryant Ruiz Switzky, Washington Business Journal.
