Tina Cartwright, CLFP, senior vice president of information technology and operations at U.S. Bank Equipment Finance, will lead a Master Talk called “Difficult Conversations: Where’s the Playbook?” for STRIPES Leadership Program, the professional and personal leadership development program designed to challenge and inspire best-in-class leaders within the equipment finance industry in partnership with Monitor.

This Master Talk will explore the importance of mindset around difficult conversations with employees and team members and techniques to assist in getting them back on track. It also will provide best practices to effectively reframe conversations or stay the course to ensure productive results. Successful navigation of these conversations is critical in order to maintain trust and confidence in ongoing relationships while continuing to lead and maintain progress, particularly when there is resistance.
“Our leadership journey requires us to navigate uncomfortable and difficult discussions, from formal to informal, and sometimes when we least expect,” Cartwright said.

“Leaders must master difficult conversations rather than shy away from them,” Lisa Rafter, CEO and founder of STRIPES Leadership Program, said. “In Tina’s Master Talk, participants will gain awareness and knowledge regarding how difficult discussions evolve, as well as a roadmap on how to transition sometimes dreaded conversations into opportunities, leading to more positive and constructive outcomes.”

STRIPES Leadership Program is a 10-month, rich and unique leadership development experience. With a mixture of assessments, Master Talks are just one component of the comprehensive program tapestry, which includes master workshops, mentor modules, breakthrough discussions and leadership development plans. Launching in September 2021, the program will cultivate a transformative journey to leadership advancement. The curriculum is designed to present opportunities for participants to expand both personally and professionally and to significantly enhance their leadership potential.

Cartwright is a senior vice president at U.S. Bank and is responsible for equipment finance information technology strategies, security, project management, facility operations, source integration and professional development programs. She began her career in January of 1997 with Lyon Financial, a small ticket leasing company. U.S. Bank later acquired Lyon Financial in September of 2000.

Throughout her career, Cartwright has held a variety of positions within U.S. Bank, working for both the equipment finance lines of business, as well as the technology and operations teams. She has held the roles of credit analyst, credit manager, business system analyst, project manager and, most recently, director of information technology and operations.