An interview with Kieran Powell
Communication skills
In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, the role of C-level leaders in banks is more critical than ever. These leaders must navigate complex regulations, drive innovation, maintain financial stability, and foster a strong organizational culture. What does it take to be an effective leader at this level? We had the pleasure of interviewing Amir Wain.
Amir Wain is a recognized payment thought leader and serial entrepreneur. His entrepreneurial journey began when he founded Innovative Private Limited (Avanceon) in 1987. In 2001, he founded i2c to modernize financial technology. As CEO, Amir sets the strategic direction to realize his vision of a global, unified banking and payment platform that delivers unparalleled flexibility and agility while providing security and reliability.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
I’ve always had a heart for innovation and applying it to the financial services industry. I began my entrepreneurial journey right out of college, and I founded my first company back in 1987. After successful launch of my first two companies, I founded i2c in 2000 to modernize financial technology. Outside of my work at i2c, I also serve as Chairman of the Board for startups including xiQ, an AI-powered sales and marketing platform.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
At the age of 17 I had come over from Pakistan to the US for my computer science education. I found myself in quite a different environment and on top of that I did not know anyone. Self-belief and social acceptance can be challenging in such a situation. I came across Fountain Head by Ann Rand in my first year of college. It completely changed the way I thought about myself or the need to fit in.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
“Nothing to fear but fear itself” from the 1933 inaugural address of Franklin D. Roosevelt; has helped me throughout my entrepreneurial journey. Whenever I am faced with a challenging situation, I think what the worst outcome could be. Thinking of the worst possible outcome and figuring out how you can live with it allows you to get over the fear.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
To me leadership is more about inspiration than direction. Being an inspirational leader lets your team deliver to their maximum potential. The leader must set the direction to ensure all talented people row in the right direction. A leader must be authentic and exhibit the values and behaviors it expects of the others. It is also important that the leader is able to take unpopular decisions and provide honest feedback to the team.
I focus on three key leadership pillars: strategic vision, collaborative direction and empowering growth. It always begins with vision that ensures both ongoing success and stability. As a C-level leader, I believe in hiring right which means surrounding yourself with subject-matter experts then creating a collaborative environment. And most importantly, I aim to empower my employees by providing them with what they need to drive innovation, exceed customer expectations and achieve strategic goals — together.
What are the top three leadership qualities that have been essential to your success as a C-level executive in the banking industry?
Vision, Discipline and Integrity are the most important. Vision is about dealing with ambiguity, processing various options and being able to articulate the why, what, and how of the best option for the business to pursue. Discipline is a combination of commitment, hard work, and organization needed to achieve big goals. Finally, integrity, as nothing, matters without integrity.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
It is extremely important to give back to the community and share the good fortune. I founded the Wain Foundation which is focused on Education, Health, and Entrepreneurship. We have several active projects and continue to add more in these three areas.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that you are grateful for, who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
There are many people to thank for the success of i2c. I would say we would not be where we are without the dedication of thousands of i2c team members, and support of our clients and partners.
What are “5 Things You Need to Be a Highly Effective C-Level Leader of A Bank”?
Curiosity
Creativity
Discipline
Communication skills
Integrity
How do you balance the demands of regulatory compliance with the need for innovation and growth within your bank?
Striking the right balance of regulatory compliance with innovation and growth is key. This can be achieved by creating an environment where responsible innovation meets regulations and financial stability.
Can you share an example of a challenging decision you faced as a C-level leader and how you navigated it?
Leadership, for me, is a constant stream of decisions, with some more critical than others. The success of the business lies in making a series of good decisions.
How do you foster a culture of ethical behavior and integrity within your organization?
Leading by example sets the tone for the entire organization. By setting clear expectations, creating a safe space for open communication and reinforcing ethical behavior, creates a culture that encourages all to feel comfortable when making decisions and raising concerns.
What strategies do you use to stay ahead of industry trends and ensure your bank remains competitive in the market?
I believe continuous learning, embracing innovation, and prioritizing customers’ needs are critical to staying ahead of the competition.
How can our readers further follow your work?
Please follow i2cinc.com on our website and our social media channels.
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About The Interviewer: Kieran Powell is the EVP of Channel V Media a New York City Public Relations agency with a global network of agency partners in over 30 countries. Kieran has advised more than 150 companies in the Technology, B2B, Retail and Financial sectors. Prior to taking over business operations at Channel V Media, Kieran held roles at Merrill Lynch, PwC and Ernst & Young. Get in touch with Kieran to discuss how marketing and public relations can be leveraged to achieve concrete business goals.
Amir Wain Of i2c: 5 Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective C-Level Leader Of A Bank was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.