BizConnections
DAN WESTROPE |
CHAIRMAN & CEO
Surround yourself with successful people Dan Westrope has spent more than 35 years in the banking industry, the past eight of which have been with Ixonia Bank. Recently, the bank opened a new Milwaukee branch with plans to capitalize on downtown’s recent revitalization. Westrope says, as a leader, it’s important to assemble a team of successful and smart people. “There are all sorts of books that offer different management theories and philosophies, and I’ve read a good share of them over the years. I’ve come to realize it’s not all about the CEO or the leadership. It’s about the team the CEO has assembled. It’s something I’ve believed and acted on for decades. “In work and in life, I think the best thing to do is surround yourself with successful people and trust them. I’ve found that the common traits these types of folks have are a positive attitude, 42 / BizTimes Milwaukee MARCH 16, 2020
a good work ethic and, above all, integrity. If you put those things together, you’ll do well in your career, and your business or company will grow and flourish. “As a leader, make sure the people who are part of your team inspire and challenge you. You want people who are out of your sphere and think differently than you do. Otherwise, you’re cheating yourself out of a broader, more rounded perspective. “So much is made of intelligence but I think ev-
Ixonia Bank Ixonia Industry: Banking ixoniabank.com
eryone is pretty smart. People tend to run down their competition and question their smarts. But I don’t think like that. I know my competition is smart. That’s a given. If you shortchange your competition, you’ll be burned. That’s not the answer. “The answer is integrity, attitude and work ethic.” n
JAKE HILL PHOTOGRAPHY
the LASTWORD
