www.medaille.edu/alp/

From theFrom the

A Medaille College/Accelerated Learning Program publication dedicated to showcasing valued Western New York leadership practices that translate into self-sustaining, profitable business.

M&T Chairman Robert Wilmers Discusses Leadership

30 Wilson RoadWilliamsville, NY 14221716.631.1061

Non Profit Org.US Postage Paid

Buffalo, NYPermit #948

Uneasy financial markets. Wall Street volatility. Banks and financial institutions are searching for solutions and answers like never before. This is a time when leadership matters, and M&T Bank CEO and Chairman of the Board Robert G. Wilmers has shared his thoughts on leadership.

I was pretty certain that someone who attended Harvard Business School, who has successfully directed the M&T franchise for over 25 years and has served as a member of the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Financial Services Roundtable, the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority and as Chair-man of the New York State Bankers Association and the Empire State Development Corporation would have some poignant insight on the ideals, tendencies and framework that embody the notions of leadership. My certainty was spot on.

In many ways, Robert Wilmers has been both a very public and private leader. His accomplishments are well documented and proven yet he is uncomfortable detailing his own capacities as a leader. Instead, Bob prefers to conceptualize larger leadership themes that help organizations prevail. In this more aggregated thread, he sites simplification, responsibility, community aware-ness, knowing your expertise and long term interests as his main tenets to leadership.

Although our current financial crisis appears quite complicated, most challenges can be simplified to some degree. Proficient leaders intelligently simplify the moment to help achieve a solution. As Wilmers exerts further; “an organization can spend an awful lot of valuable time embroiled in strategic things versus doing business. For us, it’s a game of blocking and tackling…customer service and execution.”

Responsibility is also a significant attribute to functioning leader-ship. Not only does Wilmers understand the need to responsibly act in the interest of employees, shareholders and the M&T organization as a whole, he also believes that this sense must extend out into the community. “It’s a conundrum. If I speak out, people say I’m running the town. If I say nothing, then people say there’s no leadership. But if I don’t speak out, who will? A community banker has got to be involved in the community.”

Involvement in the community requires an acute awareness of the issues that matter to the community. Proficient leaders are aware of the needs and expectations of their communities and respond with various actions that parallel these needs. “I think our public sector leaders who are more foresighted realize that this region is in need of some answers, and constructive help and effective solutions, from whatever source, all are welcome.

As with many successful leaders, Wilmers also incorpo-rates some of the thought expressed in Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great. Collins identifies a concept in his text that he entitles the “Hedgehog Concept”. In a gloss, this theorem maintains that companies led by quality leaders keep their Continued on Back Cover

Continued from Front Cover

practice within the confines of their expertise and clarify the advantage of that expertise. Wilmers follows direct suit: “it’s very important to do what you know how to do.”

Leaders and teams are terms that often have a natural link. This link between the two can only be synchronized when long term goals are not only expressed, but agreed upon within an organization amongst all members. In his last comment on leadership, Bob believes that the strength of leadership within an organization can be measured by the commonality of goals within the group. Maybe the common definition, interest and goals explain the undeni-able success of M&T Bank: “M&T management fully understands that its own long-term financial interests are coincident with the long-term interests of the company’s stockholders as a whole. Ours is a common cause.”

In closing, don’t take my word that Robert Wilmers has a handle on leadership – simply look at the bank’s performance. More than 150 years after being founded, M&T Bank has withstood the test of time and is viewed as one of the strongest banks in the nation today. The bank’s balance sheet remains sound, despite the credit problems facing the country. Capital levels, which are the most important measure of a bank's strength and stability, exceed all regulatory requirements. And, while some financial institutions have been losing money, M&T remains profitable and focused on the future.

From theFrom the

November 2008

By Jerry IngletAssistant Directorof AdmissionsCorporate & BusinessCommunity Liaison

BO

OT

ST

RA

PS

www.medaille.edu/alp/

716.631.1061

Most Colleges Want You In,We Want You Out!

While there are colleges and universities that seem to drag out the college experience, Medaille has created programs for working adults that allow them to complete their degree in about two years. If you or your colleagues want to complete an Associate, Bachelor or Masters degree by attending class one evening per week, then Medaille College’s Amherst Campus could be a good fit for your educational aspirations.

For more information visit us online athttp://www.medaille.edu/alp/

Email inquiries to alp@medaille.eduor Call us at 716.631.1061

Medaille’s Amherst Campus is Easy to Find!The Amherst campus is conveniently located at 30 Wilson Road, Williamsville, NY. Close to the NYS Thruway, Main Street/Route 5 and Route 33.

This facility is home to our School of Adult and Graduate Education.

Our School of Adult and Graduate Education develops and maintains a strong set of business, education and social science graduate degrees that prepare students for leadership in their career field.

Many times people accumulate a number of different college credit hours from multiple schools and feel discouraged because they still have not earned a degree. Medaille College will take the time to evaluate your transcripts from all of your previous institutions to determine exactly how many classes we can accept and how many classes you need to earn that degree!!!

Amherst Campus

Do you or your colleagues have multiplecollege credit hours without a college degree?

A Closer Look at Medaille College’sAccelerated Learning Program (ALP)

Medaille’s MBA program:Ranked 5th in Buffalo’s Business FirstFeatured on the Buffalo Rising Web siteClasses meet once a week from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.Study groups reinforce team building skillsCourses taught by respected business professionalsGMAT or GRE not required

Medaille's Masters of Organizational Leadership Program:Hands-on program focusing on the leadership of human and physical resourcesLearn how to optimize people, plans & projectsClasses meet once a week from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.Study groups reinforce team building skillsCourses taught by respected business professionalsGMAT or GRE not required

BO

OT

ST

RA

PS

www.medaille.edu/alp/

716.631.1061

Most Colleges Want You In,We Want You Out!

While there are colleges and universities that seem to drag out the college experience, Medaille has created programs for working adults that allow them to complete their degree in about two years. If you or your colleagues want to complete an Associate, Bachelor or Masters degree by attending class one evening per week, then Medaille College’s Amherst Campus could be a good fit for your educational aspirations.

For more information visit us online athttp://www.medaille.edu/alp/

Email inquiries to alp@medaille.eduor Call us at 716.631.1061

Medaille’s Amherst Campus is Easy to Find!The Amherst campus is conveniently located at 30 Wilson Road, Williamsville, NY. Close to the NYS Thruway, Main Street/Route 5 and Route 33.

This facility is home to our School of Adult and Graduate Education.

Our School of Adult and Graduate Education develops and maintains a strong set of business, education and social science graduate degrees that prepare students for leadership in their career field.

Many times people accumulate a number of different college credit hours from multiple schools and feel discouraged because they still have not earned a degree. Medaille College will take the time to evaluate your transcripts from all of your previous institutions to determine exactly how many classes we can accept and how many classes you need to earn that degree!!!

Amherst Campus

Do you or your colleagues have multiplecollege credit hours without a college degree?

A Closer Look at Medaille College’sAccelerated Learning Program (ALP)

Medaille’s MBA program:Ranked 5th in Buffalo’s Business FirstFeatured on the Buffalo Rising Web siteClasses meet once a week from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.Study groups reinforce team building skillsCourses taught by respected business professionalsGMAT or GRE not required

Medaille's Masters of Organizational Leadership Program:Hands-on program focusing on the leadership of human and physical resourcesLearn how to optimize people, plans & projectsClasses meet once a week from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.Study groups reinforce team building skillsCourses taught by respected business professionalsGMAT or GRE not required

www.medaille.edu/alp/

From theFrom the

A Medaille College/Accelerated Learning Program publication dedicated to showcasing valued Western New York leadership practices that translate into self-sustaining, profitable business.

M&T Chairman Robert Wilmers Discusses Leadership

30 Wilson RoadWilliamsville, NY 14221716.631.1061

Non Profit Org.US Postage Paid

Buffalo, NYPermit #948

Uneasy financial markets. Wall Street volatility. Banks and financial institutions are searching for solutions and answers like never before. This is a time when leadership matters, and M&T Bank CEO and Chairman of the Board Robert G. Wilmers has shared his thoughts on leadership.

I was pretty certain that someone who attended Harvard Business School, who has successfully directed the M&T franchise for over 25 years and has served as a member of the boards of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Financial Services Roundtable, the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority and as Chair-man of the New York State Bankers Association and the Empire State Development Corporation would have some poignant insight on the ideals, tendencies and framework that embody the notions of leadership. My certainty was spot on.

In many ways, Robert Wilmers has been both a very public and private leader. His accomplishments are well documented and proven yet he is uncomfortable detailing his own capacities as a leader. Instead, Bob prefers to conceptualize larger leadership themes that help organizations prevail. In this more aggregated thread, he sites simplification, responsibility, community aware-ness, knowing your expertise and long term interests as his main tenets to leadership.

Although our current financial crisis appears quite complicated, most challenges can be simplified to some degree. Proficient leaders intelligently simplify the moment to help achieve a solution. As Wilmers exerts further; “an organization can spend an awful lot of valuable time embroiled in strategic things versus doing business. For us, it’s a game of blocking and tackling…customer service and execution.”

Responsibility is also a significant attribute to functioning leader-ship. Not only does Wilmers understand the need to responsibly act in the interest of employees, shareholders and the M&T organization as a whole, he also believes that this sense must extend out into the community. “It’s a conundrum. If I speak out, people say I’m running the town. If I say nothing, then people say there’s no leadership. But if I don’t speak out, who will? A community banker has got to be involved in the community.”

Involvement in the community requires an acute awareness of the issues that matter to the community. Proficient leaders are aware of the needs and expectations of their communities and respond with various actions that parallel these needs. “I think our public sector leaders who are more foresighted realize that this region is in need of some answers, and constructive help and effective solutions, from whatever source, all are welcome.

As with many successful leaders, Wilmers also incorpo-rates some of the thought expressed in Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great. Collins identifies a concept in his text that he entitles the “Hedgehog Concept”. In a gloss, this theorem maintains that companies led by quality leaders keep their Continued on Back Cover

Continued from Front Cover

practice within the confines of their expertise and clarify the advantage of that expertise. Wilmers follows direct suit: “it’s very important to do what you know how to do.”

Leaders and teams are terms that often have a natural link. This link between the two can only be synchronized when long term goals are not only expressed, but agreed upon within an organization amongst all members. In his last comment on leadership, Bob believes that the strength of leadership within an organization can be measured by the commonality of goals within the group. Maybe the common definition, interest and goals explain the undeni-able success of M&T Bank: “M&T management fully understands that its own long-term financial interests are coincident with the long-term interests of the company’s stockholders as a whole. Ours is a common cause.”

In closing, don’t take my word that Robert Wilmers has a handle on leadership – simply look at the bank’s performance. More than 150 years after being founded, M&T Bank has withstood the test of time and is viewed as one of the strongest banks in the nation today. The bank’s balance sheet remains sound, despite the credit problems facing the country. Capital levels, which are the most important measure of a bank's strength and stability, exceed all regulatory requirements. And, while some financial institutions have been losing money, M&T remains profitable and focused on the future.

From theFrom the

November 2008

By Jerry IngletAssistant Directorof AdmissionsCorporate & BusinessCommunity Liaison