MORE THAN A MOTHER: Guiding, protecting and being present

DIAN MCLEAN, BRANCH MANAGER, JMMB BANK – HAUGHTON TERRACE

Children: Jordanne, 20 and Jayden, 15

AS branch manager, Dian Mclean has overall responsibility for the Haughton Terrace branch’s sales targets, operations and customer service delivery. Her daily functions include mentoring and coaching team members, arranging business development opportunities, support with client conversations, oversight for transactions, while maintaining a conducive working environment for team members and clients to thrive.

“I am from a big family and my parents — Sydney & Hoffline Walters — set good examples for us to be loving and show care to others. Before having my own children, I was always involved with children; as I have eight nieces and nephews that are older than my own children and so I had enough practice ‘mothering’ before becoming a mother. Now as a mother, I try to guide, protect and just be present for my children, always ensuring I am there for all their big and small moments, even if it means spending time with me at the office after hours before heading home,” she said.

“I also extend my motherly love to their friends, and with my husband Anthony and I being the ‘soccer-type parents’, our home is always open to our children and their friends. My nieces and nephews — a total count now of 15 — also know they always have a place there.”

Mclean starts each day believing that it is a wonderful opportunity for her to make a difference and show gratitude.

“This mindset helps me to stay grounded and to nurture those around me, not just my biological children, who have a level of independence at 15 and 20 years old,” she said.

“I have been fortunate to have had great managers during my working career, who mentored and nurtured my growth and now as a branch manager, I seek to pay that forward to my team, giving of myself on a personal and professional level.

“My team at work consists of 38 persons, and although there are additional team leads and managers who support me, I ensure that I take the time to have one-on-one conversations with every individual in the branch, as well as other team members that I have frequent contact or previously worked with; to check on their well-being, personal and professional growth and help them to work through any roadblocks. In fostering a nurturing and caring environment, I have an open-door policy for my team to come in and sit with me to work through any issues that they feel comfortable sharing, knowing I will treat it with confidence and care. Much like I would steer my own children away from negative behaviours or potentially harmful situations, I do the same with the team and support by suggesting alternatives for them to consider.”