To be successful, Joseph Turner says you must first clearly define what success looks like in your particular circumstance while always understanding that the most important element of your success is the people around you. As a director of strategy and analytics for equipment finance at First Citizens Bank, Turner says it is paramount to assemble the right team and ensure they are aligned on objectives and committed to the same outcomes.

Turner leads a high-performing team that is tasked with delivering strategic planning, initiative execution, market intelligence and analytics. He also leads new market development efforts aimed at broadening the business’ asset base for sustainable growth and long-term success. Rather than a destination, Turner views leadership as journey that impacts a business and all its associates. His leadership path at First Citizens started on his first day and he has since tried to maintain the perspective of a leader. He approaches day-to-day responsibilities and decisions with the objective of placing each initiative within the priorities of the broader organization.

Turner says as he has grown in his career, he has focused on connecting teams with the direction of the organization, fostering alignment and helping create commitment. He believes a clear objective and the understanding of how the effort fits into the broader aims of the business can set the stage for success.

“Knowing what true north is is essential as you enroll additional partners across the business and understand their pain points and potential hesitations,” Turner says. He adds that weighing different perspectives and making appropriate tradeoffs is another key to being successful. He aims to think long-term and high-level while maintaining a deep understanding of processes to find success utilizing his skills in leadership, public speaking and project management.