CEO: Behind the Scenes Why great leaders choose respect over popularity
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Nov 24, 2025 In this enlightening conversation, Anthony De Fazio, CEO of BankVic, shares insights from his journey leading a member-first bank dedicated to police and emergency services. He emphasizes the power of respecting foundational identity over seeking popularity, revealing that this approach strengthened BankVic’s culture. De Fazio discusses practical strategies for reconnecting teams to purpose and highlights the importance of authenticity in decision-making. He also reflects on overcoming leadership isolation while scaling operations, demonstrating that true leaders stand firm in their values.
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Start With Purpose And Identity
- Identity and purpose are the starting point for all organisational change and alignment.
- Anthony De Fazio says a CEO's role is to be a custodian who brings people together around a clear why.
Applying For CEO Sparked A Return To Roots
- Anthony decided to apply for the CEO role to "give the bank back to its people" and return it to its founding purpose.
- He used that moment to pitch a return-to-roots strategy and reinvigorate BankVic's core identity.
Keep Messaging Simple And Earthy
- Keep messaging simple, earthy and free of buzzwords to bring people along your vision.
- Listen first, replay members' and staff feedback, then align the organisation with that evidence.