A Collective Leadership Strategy With Paciolan’s Deana Barnes

Guest Deana Barnes, Paciolan

17:39 min watch

Summary

Paciolan President Deana Barnes sits down with ADU’s Tai M. Brown at the 2024 NACDA Convention to share insight into her collective leadership strategy and how her longevity with the organization provides her with an unparalleled perspective into Paciolan’s longterm strategic vision: “A lot of times, we make decisions collectively.” Barnes credits the strength of Paciolan’s senior leaders with guiding the company through major transitions, such as the pandemic, and embracing innovation. Barnes on Paciolan’s positioning within the landscape: “Data has become the most important element in this industry.”

Barnes and Brown also dive into the vulnerability of leadership, especially for professionals who feel more suited for a No. 2 position within an organization; the necessity of taking a team approach when balancing leadership and family; and the power of a competitive mindset. Barnes: “I don’t know if there’s a comfort zone in this role.”

The conversation is indexed below for efficient viewing (click the time stamp to jump to a specific question/topic).

- In a year in a leadership role, you find out what you’re really made of. People are coming to you to make the decision as opposed to you going to people to make a suggestion. Tell me about that.
- What helped you to find success during your tenure at Paciolan was the people around you and then you get to a leadership role and it probably doesn’t change that you still lean on those people around you.
- You’ve seen a lot of growth for Paciolan in your 20 years with the organization - why was that fascinating when you were approached with this leadership opportunity and deciding that that was something you wanted to do.
- There’s an aspect of being the No. 2 in an organization and being involved in the future-proofing and planning for the company, thinking about what happens five years from now. How much are you involved in those conversations in your role as President?
- You’ve always been most comfortable as the No. 2 but add in this leadership position and needing to be involved in everything else besides the strategic thinking and planning. Talk to me about the vulnerability for someone who always wanted to be a No. 2 but is now in a leadership position.
- How do you process big decisions, like choosing to take on a leadership role, in the context of how it will impact your family and your time with them?
- As a former student-athlete, there are moments where you have to turn on that switch, remind yourself to be aggressive and assertive like you were when you were on the field or court. How does that mindset switch show up for you now in your role as a leader?
- How has the rise in women’s sports and the visibility of female athletes impacted you?
- How has your passion for women’s sports something that the organization will absorb through your leadership?
- You were a point guard - how does that translate to your leadership style today?

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