The Forward Thinking Podcast, Powered by FCCS
In a time when organizations are navigating generational change, evolving leadership expectations, and shifting workforce dynamics, cooperative boards have a unique opportunity to lead differently, anchored in values, purpose, and shared ownership. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton, Vice President of Organizational Development for FCCS Jay Lux, and Angie Coleman, Organizational Development Consultant with FCCS. Their conversation centers around director strategies for connecting with the spirit of cooperative...
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Cyberthreats are everywhere, and while they may be inevitable, their impact can be manageable. Institutions who are prepared for cybersecurity disruptions are proactive and collaborative about their response. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton, Lisa Parrinello, FCCS VP of Risk Management & Insurance Services and Naomi Baumann, FCCS VP of Claims & Insurance Services. Together they discuss how Farm Credit’s Captive Insurance Company is helping institutions strengthen their cyberdefenses and what boards of...
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How strong are your conversation skills? Whether you are stepping into a boardroom, attending a networking event, or connecting with coworkers over coffee, the way you show up in conversations matters. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Tracy Hooper, founder of the Confidence Project and author of The NOW Hello. Their conversation is filled with practical tips, personal stories, and the small language shifts that make a big difference in how we connect with others. Episode Insights Include: ...
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Today’s topic is positioned at the intersection of technology and humanity. How do we stay truly human in the age of digital intelligence? This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS SVP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Lisa Waldren, storyteller, speaker and coach. She highlights what it really means to stay human, shares strategies for leaders to balance efficiency with empathy, and offers recommendations to help any team thrive in this rapidly changing workplace. Episode Insights Include: Staying human in the age of AI ...
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In today’s dynamic lending environment, meeting client needs requires more than individual excellence; it demands shared ownership and accountability across every level of the organization. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Mike Evans, author and speaker on leadership, and speaker at the upcoming Sales Leaders Conference. He shares insights into building resilient, accountable and high-performing teams in an increasingly complex and demanding landscape, and what leaders can do to increase accountability on...
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Forward thinking leaders know that fostering innovation, developing company culture and effective communication always starts at the top. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Tom Truitt, CEO of Horizon Farm Credit and winner of the FCCS 2024 Accelerator of the Year Award. Together, they define acceleration in the face of organizational change, consider what it takes to foster innovation from the top down, and discuss some of the valuable leadership lessons that Tom has learned over the years. He shares the...
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From cloud confusion to AI overload, tech myths can hold teams back from working smarter, faster and more securely. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Egnyte Banking and Credit Practice Lead Charlotte Li. Together they dive into the world of digital transformation and unpack some of the most common – and costly – misconceptions. Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to keep up with the myriad of changing tools, this conversation conquers the myths and offers the facts you need to make clear and...
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In this special episode recorded live at the 2025 FCCS Learning Conference, host Stephanie Barton, SVP of Marketing and Communications for FCCS sits down with keynote speaker Tom Morrison to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern organizations—and how leaders can harness it to expand capacity, not replace people. “As leaders, we need to focus on sharpening the uniquely human skills that matter most—strategic thinking, relationship building, and emotional intelligence. Let AI handle the tactical, repetitive tasks so we can devote more time and energy to the...
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Obstacles and challenges are inevitable, but what if they are a catalyst for growth, opportunities, and transformation? This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and speaker, coach and thought leader Rousawn Dozier. Together, they consider the possibilities of navigating adversity with courage and confidence. They explore what happens when you face adversity head on, the power of shifting your perspective, and the opportunities that appear when you choose to embrace obstacles. Episode Insights Include: ...
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Where are all the good ideas? And why don’t the good ideas ever seem to get implemented? The disconnect between leaders and employees is holding back innovation and an environment of psychological safety is key to cultivating a courageous culture that fosters innovation. This episode of the Forward Thinking Podcast features FCCS VP of Marketing and Communications Stephanie Barton and Karin Hurt, Founder and CEO of Let's Grow Leaders and instructor in the FCCS Leading Leaders program. Together, they explore ways leaders can build courageous cultures that encourage innovation, create...
info_outlineIt can be hard to see change coming, but there are patterns in the way change disrupts an industry that, when identified, can help to empower an organization to prepare for what’s coming and be prepared to act. In this episode of The Forward Thinking podcast, host Stephanie Barton, VP of Marketing and Communications at FCCS sits down with Vance Crow, Organizational Strategist, and CEO of Articulate Ventures for a look at how your organization can better prepare for change and create a shared language to facilitate open, meaningful and necessary conversations. Vance will be speaking at the upcoming FCCS Director Leadership Conference in Nashville, and in this conversation, he offers a look inside his session “The Edge of Chaos: Where and How Society Changes”.
Episode Insights Include:
Defining the edge of chaos
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The world can be viewed in a dualist way, like the yin and yang.
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Order and chaos are an integral part of everything.
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Order is what we know and understand while chaos represents the rest of the world and is often avoided.
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Nothing new comes from order, it only comes from the chaos that is brought back to order.
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The edge of chaos represents the border between what is unknown and what is known.
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Innovation and advancements are found at the edge of chaos.
The challenge of preparing for change
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Change is difficult to prepare for because we never know when it’s coming.
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Change often comes quickly and all at once.
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Change can be preceded by pain and suffering.
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Change often requires that people move beyond the suffering to try something different, which is not always a pleasant experience.
Creative tactics for excelling in the face of change
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Organizations need to consider what is and isn’t working in their messaging and be willing to try something different.
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Allow your teams to come up with new and innovative solutions to problems and see how successful they are.
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Create smaller teams that have the opportunity to explore wild innovations without having a major impact on company-wide endeavors.
Identifying patterns of change
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Spotting patterns of change requires doing things that are uncomfortable.
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Expose yourself to ideas that you may not agree with.
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Surround yourself with people who have ideas that are different from your own.
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Identify people that you respect who have a different set of beliefs than you do.
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Ask questions from younger people and learn from their answers.
Having conversations that encourage innovation and change
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Leadership plays a critical role in effective conversations.
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Leaders help others frame their contributions in ways that are well-received.
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Effective guides understand how the gears of an organization work and the important role that each team member plays.
Creating an effective shared language
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An effective shared language represents shared values and shared knowledge.
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Shared language can help develop a new way of thinking about systems that can be shared and worked on by the entire group.
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Company culture is strengthened by a shared language.
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Shared language allows a team to move further faster.
This podcast is powered by FCCS.
Resources
Learn more about the FCCS 2023 Director Leadership Conference- https://www.fccsconsulting.com/conferences/director-leadership
Connect with Vance- Vance Crow
Get in touch
info@fccsconsulting.com