Embrace Being an Original: Celebrating Authenticity and Unleashing Creativity

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Welcome to the third installment of our “Values” series where we are spending each week releasing one of our refreshed values that make up our GROW acronym. So far, we’ve invited you to embrace what it means to be Gregarious and Resolute.  You can read more about why these values stood out to us by visiting our Values Series.

F&M Bank understands the importance of nurturing a culture that encourages and celebrates the uniqueness of the individuals on its team. As part of the refreshed values, our third value, represented by the letter “O” in GROW, emphasizes the essence of being original. This blog post explores what it means to be original, how it aligns with F&M Bank’s values, and the benefits of embracing originality in the workplace.

Authenticity: The Foundation of Originality Being original begins with embracing authenticity.

F&M Bank recognizes the power of individuals being their true selves. By fostering an environment that encourages employees to express their unique perspectives, talents, and experiences, the bank cultivates a workforce that is empowered and engaged. Authenticity creates a platform for genuine connections, driving innovation, and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration.

 Unwavering Creativity: Thinking Outside the Box

F&M Bank understands that creativity fuels innovation and drives growth. By encouraging employees to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and challenge conventional thinking, the bank creates an environment that fosters continuous improvement. This allows for the development of innovative solutions to challenges and paves the way for staying ahead in an ever-changing landscape.

Recognizing Strength in Weaknesses

Originality is not just about showcasing strengths, but also recognizing the strength in acknowledging weaknesses. F&M Bank understands that growth comes from learning and embracing areas for improvement. By encouraging employees to embrace their weaknesses and seek opportunities for growth, the bank fosters a culture of continuous learning and development. This mindset allows for personal and professional growth, enabling individuals to reach their full potential.

Benefits of Embracing Originality

When individuals are encouraged to be original, the benefits extend beyond personal growth. F&M Bank recognizes that embracing originality brings fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table. It creates an inclusive environment where diverse voices are valued, leading to enhanced problem-solving and decision-making. Additionally, celebrating originality fosters employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention, as individuals feel valued for their unique contributions.

F&M Bank’s value of being “Original” represents the celebration of individuality, creativity, and authenticity. By fostering an environment that encourages employees to be their authentic selves, think outside the box, and recognize their weaknesses, F&M Bank cultivates a culture of originality. Embracing originality not only drives innovation and growth but also creates a sense of belonging and fulfillment for employees. As F&M Bank continues to prioritize originality, it sets an example for other organizations to embrace and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals in the pursuit of success. Come back next week as we release the last value in GROW to learn what our “W” represents.

Embrace Being Resolute: The Key to Weathering the Storm and Achieving Success

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In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, it is crucial for companies to possess a set of core values that guide their actions and define their culture. At F&M Bank, we understand the importance of cultivating a strong set of core values.

As part of our initiative, the second value in the GROW framework is “Resolute,” representing the team’s ability to weather the storm and hold each other accountable.

In this blog post, we will explore what it means to be resolute and how this quality enables F&M Bank to persevere, maintain focus, and achieve its goals.

The Essence of Resoluteness

At F&M Bank, being resolute signifies having the tenacity to persevere in the face of challenges while maintaining a steadfast vision for accomplishment. Resolute individuals understand the importance of remaining steadfast, even when circumstances become uncertain. They possess the determination to push forward, adapt to changing circumstances, and stay focused on the ultimate objective.

Nimble Yet Focused

While being resolute, F&M Bank’s team also emphasizes the need to be nimble. In a dynamic business environment, adaptability and agility are crucial. Resolute individuals are flexible and can adjust their strategies and approaches as needed to overcome obstacles. However, being nimble does not mean losing sight of the bigger picture. F&M Bank’s resolute team members strike a balance between agility and staying focused on their long-term goals. They understand that adaptability is a means to achieve success, but the ultimate vision remains constant.

Striving for Continuous Improvement

Being resolute goes beyond just weathering the storm; it encompasses an unwavering commitment to self-improvement and creating a positive environment. F&M Bank’s resolute individuals consistently strive to better themselves, both personally and professionally. They embrace learning opportunities, seek growth, and encourage others to do the same. By cultivating a culture of continuous improvement, F&M Bank creates an environment where individuals can thrive and contribute their best.

Holding Each Other Accountable

Accountability is a crucial aspect of being resolute. At F&M Bank, the team members hold each other accountable for their actions and commitments. This accountability fosters a sense of trust and reliability within the organization. Resolute individuals take ownership of their responsibilities and follow through on their commitments, ensuring that progress is made collectively toward the shared goals.

Being resolute is an essential characteristic that sets F&M Bank apart. It represents the team’s ability to weather the storm, adapt to change, and remain focused on their vision. With a commitment to continuous improvement and accountability, F&M Bank’s resolute individuals embody the spirit of perseverance and determination. By embracing resoluteness, F&M Bank paves the way for success in the face of challenges, inspiring others and creating a positive impact both within and beyond the organization. Look out for our next values blog to learn what our “O” stands for!

Embrace Being Gregarious: Cultivating Community and Collaboration

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We are thrilled to announce the refreshed values of F&M Bank as we embark on our journey into the next 115 years. As we stated in the first entry of our Values Series, our new values form the acronym G.R.O.W. We chose this acronym because it represents our commitment to fostering growth within our community, supporting our local agriculture industry, and developing our exceptional team. Together, let’s grow and thrive!

Over the next month, we will be focusing on one value each week, starting with “Gregarious.”

Derived from its root form, which described animals or plants that live in a flock, gregarious embodies the essence of individuals supporting teamwork and collaboration. In this blog post, we delve into what it truly means to be gregarious and how it can have a lasting positive impact on our workplace and community.

Supporting Teamwork and Collaboration

At F&M Bank, being gregarious means cultivating a sense of community and actively engaging in groups. It goes beyond mere cooperation; it is about fostering a collaborative environment where individuals thrive together. By embracing gregariousness, we recognize the power of teamwork in achieving our shared goals. It encourages us to pool our strengths, knowledge, and resources, thus enabling us to find innovative solutions to complex challenges. Through open dialogue and constructive feedback, we create a safe space for collaboration, where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.

Leaving a Lasting Positive Impression

As gregarious individuals, we strive to leave a lasting positive impression on everyone we encounter. Whether it’s our colleagues, customers, or community members, we aim to make a meaningful impact. By actively engaging in groups and fostering a sense of community, we build strong relationships based on trust, respect, and mutual support. Our interactions are characterized by empathy, active listening, and a genuine desire to understand and meet the needs of others. Through this approach, we create an inclusive and welcoming environment that fosters personal growth and professional development.

 Cultivating a Sense of Community

Gregariousness extends beyond the workplace; it is about cultivating a sense of community both internally and externally. Within our organization, we strive to create a supportive and inclusive community where individuals feel valued, heard, and appreciated. This involves celebrating our successes together, acknowledging and learning from our failures, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Externally, we actively engage with our local communities, supporting initiatives and organizations that align with our values. By being gregarious, we contribute to the well-being and growth of the communities we serve.

The Impact of Being Gregarious

Embracing gregariousness has incredible benefits for individuals, teams, and the organization. It enhances problem-solving and decision-making, as collaboration allows for a broader range of expertise and insights. Gregariousness also boosts productivity and morale, as individuals feel motivated, supported, and connected. Moreover, it fosters a positive reputation for our organization, attracting top talent and loyal customers who appreciate our commitment to collaboration and community.

As F&M Bank focuses on the value of gregariousness, we recognize its transformative power in cultivating a sense of community, promoting teamwork, and leaving a lasting positive impression. By embracing gregariousness, we foster a collaborative work environment where individuals thrive and achieve shared success. We actively engage with our communities, making a meaningful impact and contributing to their growth. Let us embrace gregariousness as individuals and as a company, recognizing its significance in shaping our culture and driving our collective success. Stay tuned next week for our next value release!

Introducing Our Values Series: Shaping the Future of F&M Bank

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As F&M Bank celebrated its 115th birthday last August, we embarked on a journey to continue our legacy as we also define and shape the future of our company. After months of consideration and discussion, we launched our new values, which reflect our history and keep a keen eye on the years ahead. We believe that a strong culture is the foundation of any successful organization, and to ensure its authenticity, several employees were directly involved in shaping what community banking culture looks like in 2024. Together, we are committed to applying our values within our teams and interactions with the marketplace.

 The Power of Collaboration

Representatives from various departments and lines of business came together over several months to discuss the best approach to launching our cultural initiative. Their collective insights and diverse perspectives have been instrumental in shaping our path forward.

A Refreshed Foundation

Our refreshed core values will guide our day-to-day operations and interactions, ensuring we remain true to our purpose. Additionally, we have developed pillars that will focus our community outreach efforts, further defining our roots in the Shenandoah Valley.

Reenergizing Our Mission and Vision

With a renewed purpose, we have also realigned our mission and vision statements. These statements capture our ambition and inspire our team to excel as we continue to serve as the financial partner of choice in the Shenandoah Valley.

Unveiling Our Values

On this past President’s Day, we launched our cultural transformation internally with over 175 team members. This marked the first step in defining what F&M Bank stands for. Over the next few weeks, we will reveal our values, pillars, mission statement, and vision statement, one by one, leading up to our annual shareholders meeting on May 18th.

At F&M Bank, we firmly believe that culture drives success. Through collaboration, introspection, and engagement, we are committed to shaping a culture that reflects our legacy and propels us into the future. Join us on this journey as we unveil our values, pillars, mission, and vision statements, and discover how we will continue to be your financial partner of choice in the Shenandoah Valley.

A Glimpse into Our Values

We are excited to give you a teaser of what’s to come. Our updated values form the acronym “GROW.” Each letter represents a core value that we hold dear. Stay tuned for our next blog post, which will unveil the meaning behind the “G” in GROW.

 

Let’s GROW together,

Bank CEO Mike Wilkerson Signature

Mike Wilkerson

CEO, F&M Bank