By Joe Chybowski, President & Chief Financial Officer

When I first entered the financial industry in the Spring of 2009, I was just grateful to have a job. Little did I know, those early years would prove transformative. Not only did I gain valuable industry experience, but I also encountered a range of leadership styles – from positive, people-focused leadership to more fear-driven approaches, where motivation came more from pressure than purpose. One thing quickly became clear: Leadership styles significantly impact employee wellbeing and performance.

Today, I’m proud to work alongside Bridgewater’s Founder and CEO, Jerry Baack, and the rest of the senior leadership team, who embody a people-first philosophy that sets Bridgewater Bank apart. Our culture, which empowers our team to deliver a best-in-class banking experience to our clients each day, has established Bridgewater as the Finest Entrepreneurial Bank in the Twin Cities and the bank of choice for countless entrepreneurs and industry leaders across the region.

If you’re a leader looking to build a high-performing, resilient team, here are five "secret ingredients" that we’ve found helped us cultivate a people-first culture and drive our success:

1. Paint the Roadmap

As leaders, it’s our job to not just create the roadmap but to paint it. It’s not enough to tell your team where you’re going; you need to show them what you’re building and help them understand why it matters. This requires transparency, regular communication, and rallying the team behind a shared vision. When employees understand the vision and their integral role in it, they become truly engaged, eager, and dedicated.

At Bridgewater, we avoid a hierarchical approach and instead work alongside our team members, understanding we are on a collective journey where each of us is empowered to leverage our skills and strengths and own our own piece of the puzzle. This collaborative mindset fosters positive motivation and builds a shared sense of purpose.

A practical tool that’s helped us at Bridgewater, and many of our clients, is the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). It’s been essential in defining our vision, core values, and roadmap, helping to keep everyone aligned and moving forward together.

2. Remember the Small Things Matter

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that small gestures make a big impact. People want to feel seen and valued, not like just another number. As companies grow, it’s easy to lose that personal touch, but as leaders, we should work to build real connections, whether by remembering names or showing interest in people’s lives.

For me, this means greeting people in the halls, no matter how busy I am. These little moments are about more than friendliness—they’re about creating a culture where everyone feels they belong. Even a simple acknowledgment can make someone feel valued, and that’s worth the effort.

3. Be Honest About Your Weaknesses

When founder and CEO Jerry Baack set out to build Bridgewater in 2005, his background was in lending. Although he was equipped with raw talent, fierce determination, and some key areas of knowledge, he had never built a bank before. So, Jerry attributes much of his success to putting the right people around him who had strengths in the areas he didn’t. The same principle holds true in any company today.

A great leader is humble enough to recognize their own limitations and surround themselves with those who excel in those areas. This humility not only builds a well-rounded team that drives results but also fosters an environment of mutual respect and continuous learning. Leading by example in this way builds trust, strengthens rapport, and empowers everyone to contribute their best while respecting and learning from one another.

4. Take Yourself Seriously – But Not Too Seriously

Research shows that humor is a powerful way to build connection and trust. Leadership is serious work, but it doesn’t mean we always have to be. At Bridgewater Bank, we work hard and play hard, a defining part of our culture from the start.

Our events and traditions give us chances to connect in meaningful ways. Last year, for example, our Chairman and CEO, Jerry, and I got in a dunk tank to raise money for charity. These moments make our culture unconventional; they show humility, build camaraderie, and remind everyone that we’re all in this together. Jerry leads by example as a ‘man of the people’—approachable, down-to-earth, and never taking himself too seriously. It’s a quality every leader can benefit from.

5. Create a Safe Space for Making Mistakes

Don’t get me wrong – we strive for excellence at Bridgewater. We hire top-notch talent and are dedicated to our core value of ‘Accuracy.’ With that said, cultivating a people-first culture means fostering an environment of growth (another core value) where we recognize people are human and everyone makes mistakes.

Since our founding in 2005, Jerry has been intentional about creating a space where people are encouraged to learn, embrace new projects, take risks, take accountability, and grow from each experience. This drives innovation and keeps us agile without being paralyzed by the fear of making a wrong move.

At Bridgewater Bank, we’ve seen firsthand how employees excel under people-first leadership. With these five ingredients, we’ve created a culture where high-performing people thrive and deliver unparalleled service to our clients, and you can, too!

Additionally, our team of local experts is here to support you with the same people-first dedication that is the lifeblood of our organization. So, if you’re looking for a relationship-focused banking partner who understands what it takes to grow a successful business, we invite you to discover the unconventional banking experience that has made Bridgewater the bank of choice for so many Twin Cities business owners and leaders like you.