By stopping to focus on our own leadership, we generate the needed grit and creativity to lead forward. If it seems like a challenge to you, accept it. If you already feel confident in your leadership skills, continue to fine-tune them and pass along that knowledge to others. If you’re looking for ways to refine your leadership skills, consider inside and outside sources for support.

Rebeca Romero Rainey: We banded together, worked tirelessly for years on end, and achieved substantial regulatory relief via passage of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act.

Damon Moorer: This week TCM Bank celebrates 20 years of service to community banks. It’s remarkable how far we’ve come over this time—providing professionally managed consumer and business agent credit card programs for the nation’s community banks.

Steve Keen: With the nation recognizing Small Business Month in May, the House last week approved pro-community bank legislation to strengthen the Small Business Administration 7(a) program.

Rebeca Romero Rainey: Today is particularly special because we have taken another step toward meaningful community bank regulatory relief by delivering our S. 2155 petition to the House of Representatives.

A community bank’s success relies on steady, solid leadership forged from a shared vision and a goal to exceed customers’ expectations. That’s at least the way Brad Bolton, president and CEO of Community Spirit Bank in Red Bay, Ala., sees it.