ABA Banking Journal
No Result
View All Result
  • Topics
    • Ag Banking
    • Commercial Lending
    • Community Banking
    • Compliance and Risk
    • Cybersecurity
    • Economy
    • Human Resources
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Mortgage
    • Mutual Funds
    • Payments
    • Policy
    • Retail and Marketing
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Technology
    • Wealth Management
  • Newsbytes
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Magazine Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Podcast Archive
    • Sponsored Content Archive
SUBSCRIBE
ABA Banking Journal
  • Topics
    • Ag Banking
    • Commercial Lending
    • Community Banking
    • Compliance and Risk
    • Cybersecurity
    • Economy
    • Human Resources
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Mortgage
    • Mutual Funds
    • Payments
    • Policy
    • Retail and Marketing
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Technology
    • Wealth Management
  • Newsbytes
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Magazine Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Podcast Archive
    • Sponsored Content Archive
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home ABA Banking Journal Podcast

Podcast: How a Georgia community bank engaged employees at 3X the national rate

April 18, 2024
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Podcast: How a Georgia community bank engaged employees at 3X the national rate

Neil Stevens
President and CEO
Oconee State Bank

According to newly released Gallup figures, just 30 percent of American workers are engaged in their work. The rest are described as disengaged, with 17 percent actively disengaged, “which means they are literally trying to sabotage the organization,” notes Neil Stevens, president and CEO of Oconee State Bank in Oconee, Georgia. “Gallup also says that if you have a 70 percent or higher engagement score, you’re 23 percent more profitable than those with lower engagement scores. So engaged teams truly, in my mind, lead to healthier cultures, better customer retention.”

On the latest episode of the ABA Banking Journal Podcast — presented by R&T Deposit Solutions — Stevens discusses his approach to cultivating a bank where engagement scores have climbed to 89 percent, triple the national average. Stevens works to build this culture through a framework called Leading Life on Life that emphasizes loving, equipping, affirming and developing (“LEAD”ing) team members. Among other topics on the show, Stevens discusses the role of love in bank management, the importance of active listening and how an environment of healthy affirmation actually allows leaders to hold their teams to higher standards.

  • If you can’t see the audio player above, click here to listen to this week’s episode.
  • Hear Stevens discuss bank culture and employee engagement at the ABA Annual Convention, Oct. 27-29 in New York City.

This episode is presented by R&T Deposit Solutions.

In this episode:

Neil Stevens
President and CEO
Oconee State Bank

Tags: ABA Banking Journal PodcastCultureEmployee engagementLeadershipTraining
ShareTweetPin

Author

Evan Sparks

Evan Sparks

Evan Sparks is editor-in-chief of the ABA Banking Journal and senior vice president for member communications at the American Bankers Association.

Related Posts

Podcast: Cathy Owen on the road ahead for America’s banks

Podcast: Cathy Owen on the road ahead for America’s banks

ABA Banking Journal Podcast
November 11, 2026

From driving an 18-wheeler to flying planes to painting a World War II-era tugboat, there's not much Cathy Owen hasn't done or seen. So tough challenges in banking don't phase her.

House Republicans ask Fed to speed up bank merger application reviews

Bank acquisitions announced in Texas, Indiana, Minnesota

Community Banking
November 10, 2026

First International Bank & Trust to buy Dominion Bank in Dallas. First Capital to purchase First Bancorp of Indiana. Integrity Bank Plus to buy State Bank of Jeffers in Minnesota.

Banks partner with VA to serve veterans in need

Beyond gratitude: expanding opportunity for veterans and military families

Community Banking
November 10, 2026

By investing in the financial well-being and economic opportunity of veterans, banks can help those who have served build strong futures.

Going vertical: Banks build expertise to serve specialized opportunities

Going vertical: Banks build expertise to serve specialized opportunities

Retail and Marketing
November 9, 2026

From law firms to physicians, banks are finding growth by targeting distinct niches.

Banking agencies release CRA data on small-business, small-farm lending in 2023

Banking agencies release CRA data on small-business, small-farm lending in 2025

Ag Banking
November 5, 2026

A total of 720 lenders reported data about originations and purchases of small loans — $1 million or less — to businesses and farms in 2025.

ABA signs coalition letter to make NMTC program permanent

Treasury, IRS announce ‘Opportunity Zone’ designations

Community Banking
November 5, 2026

More than 6,500 communities across the U.S. have been designated Qualified Opportunity Zones, which provide tax incentives for investing in distressed areas, the Treasury Department and IRS announced.

NEWSBYTES

Survey: Mortgage customers mostly satisfied, want more timely support

November 11, 2026

Governors press Congress to pass cannabis banking bill

November 11, 2026

FDIC issues relief guidance for Hawaii following earthquake

November 10, 2026

SPONSORED CONTENT

Banking Technology at a Strategic Crossroads

Banking Technology at a Strategic Crossroads

October 29, 2026
The Shift from Demographic Marketing

The Shift from Demographic Marketing

October 1, 2026
Meeting Ag Lending Goals Without Going It Alone

Meeting Ag Lending Goals Without Going It Alone

October 1, 2026
Beyond the Portfolio: The Wealth Manager’s New Role in a Multigenerational World

Beyond the Portfolio: The Wealth Manager’s New Role in a Multigenerational World

September 17, 2026

PODCASTS

Podcast: Cathy Owen on the road ahead for America’s banks

November 11, 2026

Podcast: Proactively managing the core provider relationship

October 22, 2026

Podcast: How community banks can keep farmers farming in turbulent times

October 14, 2026

American Bankers Association
1333 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-BANKERS (800-226-5377)
www.aba.com
About ABA
Privacy Policy
Contact ABA

ABA Banking Journal
About ABA Banking Journal
Media Kit
Advertising
Subscribe

© 2026 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Topics
    • Ag Banking
    • Commercial Lending
    • Community Banking
    • Compliance and Risk
    • Cybersecurity
    • Economy
    • Human Resources
    • Insurance
    • Legal
    • Mortgage
    • Mutual Funds
    • Payments
    • Policy
    • Retail and Marketing
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Technology
    • Wealth Management
  • Newsbytes
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Magazine Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Podcast Archive
    • Sponsored Content Archive

© 2026 American Bankers Association. All rights reserved.