Build and Uplift: Republic Business Credit Empowers the Next Generation of Leaders

Promoting strong leadership is a shared mission across Republic Business Credit (RBC), a commercial finance company supporting the working capital requirements of companies across the United States. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Renasant Bank, the RBC team has “no shortage of incredible leadership examples throughout our organization,” Stewart Chesters, CEO of the company, says. “We are grateful for this partnership because both companies came to the table with a similar ethos that made this merger so successful.”

Chesters says both RBC and Renasant view leadership as a tool to uplift employees and build a culture of mutual respect, collaboration and cooperation. From his own vantage point, Chesters says RBC understands the value of its team members’ contributions and talents, with the company placing a significant emphasis on developing employees into leaders. The company covers the expense of educational, training and growth opportunities for its team members and also sponsors employees’ memberships on professional boards. This has led to many of RBC’s employees taking on leadership roles within top industry associations and receiving regional and industry award recognitions.

As its leadership team looks toward building the next generation of finance visionaries, RBC also is proud to offer internship opportunities that can turn into full-time positions at the company.

RBC began as a small firm, which required a lot of hands-on work and attention from Chesters. Over the course of his career with RBC, Chesters has been able to adjust his leadership style as the company grew. Today, he takes a delegative approach to leadership. Though he is still a very involved leader, he’s surrounded by a strong community of fellow leaders who have their own unique leadership styles and allow him to step back from projects seamlessly while the team upholds RBC’s standards and values.

At this stage, Chesters is also focused on empowering his staff and creating the most effective, complementary team possible. He is building a company of employees who exemplify what he considers the qualities of a great leader, including:
• The clarity to create a vision for the future and share that with the team, demonstrating where the company is headed and what role each person will play;
• Authenticity, consistency and alignment with the values of the company;
• The ability to “step back” and trust the team to make decisions independently, allowing them to practice and develop their own leadership skills.

“These values are key components to achieving effective, meaningful clarity within an organization,” Chesters says.

RBC leaders take an intentional approach to work, paying particular attention to employees’ workloads in relation to new growth opportunities. Chesters has begun sharing his responsibilities with his team, creating more opportunities for them to demonstrate their abilities and build their confidence while tackling new challenges. This can range from development projects that engage a new or developing skill or the simple practice of maintaining transparency and visibility throughout the project management process.

“By understanding the needs of individuals, you can create an intentional management plan that empowers and uplifts your team while making your own life, as a leader, easier in the process,” Chesters says.

Chesters’ ultimate goal as a leader at RBC is to continue building an effective team, which he believes is essential to being an impactful leader.

“Through my own team, I have come to understand that the more you can trust those around you, and demonstrate it, the more that trust and respect will come back to you through mutual success and growth for your organization,” Chesters says. •