--- title: "Closing the Leadership Gap: Shaping the Future of the Financial Industry" description: In this episode of the Practical Perspectives series, James Robert Lay and Audrey Cannata highlight how many financial institutions are stuck in the present, with leaders overwhelmed by daily operations and unable to focus on future growth. They discuss the importance of adopting a future-focused mindset, setting time aside for strategic thinking, and visualizing future goals. By evaluating their current mindset and creating a vision for the future, leaders can drive meaningful change and innovation. Practical steps for embracing continuous growth and fostering a forward-thinking culture are also shared to help financial brands thrive. image: https://www.digitalgrowth.com/hubfs/hip%20(13).png --- [![Digital Growth Institute Logo](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/png.png?width=150&height=63&name=png.png "Digital Growth Institute Logo")](https://www.digitalgrowth.com) [![Act3 logo](https://f.hubspotusercontent20.net/hubfs/273774/act3/images/act3-logo-color.svg "Act3 logo")](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/act3) [![Digital Growth Institute Logo](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/png.png?width=125&height=53&name=png.png "Digital Growth Institute Logo")](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/) - [Podcast](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast) - [Newsletter](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/newsletter) - [About DGI](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/about) [Benchmark My Website](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/benchmark) [Benchmark My Website](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/benchmark) - [Podcast](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast) - [Newsletter](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/newsletter) - [About DGI](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/about) [Benchmark My Website](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/benchmark) The Best Bank and Credit Union Podcast #### Share this [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast/banks-credit-unions-fintech-leadership-gap-shaping-future&text=Closing%20the%20Leadership%20Gap:%20Shaping%20the%20Future%20of%20the%20Financial%20Industry) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast/banks-credit-unions-fintech-leadership-gap-shaping-future&t=Closing%20the%20Leadership%20Gap:%20Shaping%20the%20Future%20of%20the%20Financial%20Industry) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast/banks-credit-unions-fintech-leadership-gap-shaping-future&t=Closing%20the%20Leadership%20Gap:%20Shaping%20the%20Future%20of%20the%20Financial%20Industry) # Closing the Leadership Gap: Shaping the Future of the Financial Industry by [**James Robert Lay**](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast/author/james-robert-lay) on September 30, 2024 Most financial institutions are stuck in the present, lacking the forward-thinking leadership needed to navigate and thrive in a rapidly changing environment. Leaders within these organizations frequently find themselves overwhelmed by day-to-day operations, which restricts their ability to focus on future growth and innovation. On this episode of the Practical Perspectives series, [James Robert Lay](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrwlay/) and [Audrey Cannata](https://www.linkedin.com/in/audrey-cannata-6784191a1/) discuss the need for leaders to adopt a future-focused mindset by setting aside dedicated time for strategic thinking and ongoing learning. By visualizing their future selves and operating from that perspective, leaders can inspire and drive meaningful change within their organizations. Join in as they suggest practical steps, such as evaluating one's current operating mindset and creating a vision for the future, to bridge the gap between current capabilities and future potential. Ultimately, embracing continuous growth and surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals can help drive the financial industry toward a more innovative and successful future.   **        [![Apple Podcasts](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/1-1.png?width=100&height=75&name=1-1.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banking-on-digital-growth/id1498837117)          [![Spotify](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3.png?width=100&height=75&name=3.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/6ml7uCQ7HoVvWTYUNpdUfS)           [![Google Podcasts](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4.png?width=100&height=75&name=4.png)](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLmF1c2hhLmNvL1d4RFpLSDU3bU5HZw)** ## Key Insights and Takeaways - The Importance of Vision in Leadership (05:32) - The Role of Culture and Change (10:31) - Leadership vs. Management (17:41) Topics: [Practical Perspectives](https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast/tag/practical-perspectives) #### Share this [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast/banks-credit-unions-fintech-leadership-gap-shaping-future&text=Closing%20the%20Leadership%20Gap:%20Shaping%20the%20Future%20of%20the%20Financial%20Industry) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast/banks-credit-unions-fintech-leadership-gap-shaping-future&t=Closing%20the%20Leadership%20Gap:%20Shaping%20the%20Future%20of%20the%20Financial%20Industry) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.digitalgrowth.com/podcast/banks-credit-unions-fintech-leadership-gap-shaping-future&t=Closing%20the%20Leadership%20Gap:%20Shaping%20the%20Future%20of%20the%20Financial%20Industry) - 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