Great leadership has never been about winning popularity. It requires clarity, conviction and a willingness to stand firm in what matters. For Anthony De Fazio, CEO of BankVic, leadership starts with returning to the fundamentals and asking the basic questions.

“Who are you? What do you stand for? What is your real purpose for being there?” he offers as an example. “Why does the organization exist, and what are you going to do while you’re there?”

When leaders can answer these questions and reconnect with their core identity, De Fazio explains, organizations will thrive.

Returning to the purpose

For De Fazio, these questions helped him to prepare when applying for the role of CEO. He sensed the organization had drifted from its founding purpose.

“My notion back then was I wanted to give the bank back to its people, back to its members,” he reflects.

Embracing the organization’s origins was not for the sake of nostalgia, however, but to regain focus and unlock untapped potential. That clarity has since driven BankVic’s growth.

“The more focused and connected we are with our purpose, the richer our relationships are and the more successful BankVic has become,” he points out.

Serving the police and emergency services community remains core to the bank’s identity, a responsibility De Fazio describes as both an honor and a motivator for deeper connection.

“We serve those who serve the community,” he explains.

Leading such an organization has meant putting authenticity and simplicity at the heart of his leadership philosophy. He insists on speaking plainly and communicating clearly, but he also acknowledges that difficult decisions at the top often come without support.

“You’re going to make some unpopular decisions for some people and you won’t get any reassurance and that’s OK,” he says.

This can feel isolating, but despite these pressures, De Fazio encourages leaders to trust their own compass and resist distractions.

“People will tell you all manner of things and sometimes you being a successful leader is breaking the rules and breaking assumptions and challenges,” he says.

“Because everyone’s got an opinion, but it’s going to be yours that ultimately leads the way.”

Listen to the latest episode of our CEO: Behind the Scenes podcast with Anthony De Fazio on Amazon, Apple or Spotify.