| Name: | Lynda Montgomery |
| Current Role: | Branch Manager |
| Location: | Shawnessy, AB |
| "I’ve been with BMO® for over 35 years, and I can honestly say that I’ve never once been bored!" | |
I was working part-time in a bookstore after graduating from high school when one of my customers, a BMO employee, encouraged me to apply to my local BMO branch. I’ve been with BMO for over 35 years now, and I can honestly say that I’ve never once been bored! I’m always growing professionally in my career and through the constant evolution of the banking industry. I’ve looked at every opportunity as a learning experience, and have always jumped at the chance to work in different areas. I’ve travelled the country and worked in many different areas, including loan approvals, human resources, and collections. Most recently, I’ve been a Branch Manager for six years, and I love it! | |
| "I feel proud knowing that the people on my team enjoy their work and each other, and that they are in turn giving great service to our customers." | |
The Branch Manager role offers a wonderful opportunity to develop others and watch them grow. My team is fantastic, and we have accomplished a lot together. I feel proud knowing that the people on my team enjoy their work and each other, and that they are in turn giving great service to our customers. If my team is happy, our customers are happy, and I’m meeting my business plan, I have succeeded! Working in this job has also helped me to know myself better, to know how to interact with people better, and to understand people from all walks of life. | |
| "For this role, you need to be passionate about people, because you’re around people all day, every day!" | |
For this role, you need to be passionate about people, because you’re around people all day, every day! It’s essential to be able to listen to customers, understand their needs, and be able to identify with what they are thinking and feeling. The technical elements of the job can be taught, but you need to be approachable and caring, and have a sense of humour. The most important thing is to make sure you have a strong, proactive team, and get to understand your staff. It is absolutely essential for the team to know that you want them to be successful, because the success of the branch, and the customer service we provide, is entirely dependent upon our employees. Once you have that, everything else will fall into place! | |
| "The skills you need for a particular role don’t come with the title – they have to be developed and demonstrated before you move into it." | |
I would advise anyone looking to get into a Branch Manager role to show others your leadership abilities early and often. The skills you need for a particular role don’t come with the title – they have to be developed and demonstrated before you move into it. It’s important to always be willing to coach and guide others, informally as well as formally, because this is one of the most important skills to have in this role. | |
| "I’ve often thought that I didn’t have the necessary skills or experience for a role, but there is a huge support network in this organization to help you challenge yourself. Most of the time, you can do it if you set your mind to it!" | |
I am always open to exploring new roles and moving around the Bank. One area I’m interested in learning about is the commercial group, particularly the role of a lender. For now, I’m happy to continue developing in my current role as I can always be a better coach – this is a work in progress! Whatever I end up doing, I’m lucky to have incredible support from my family and my spouse. Throughout my time at BMO, I’ve also had wonderful colleagues and great coaches who have believed in me and who make me believe in myself too. I’ve often thought that I didn’t have the necessary skills or experience for a role, but there is a huge support network in this organization to help you challenge yourself. Most of the time, you can do it if you set your mind to it! | |
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