Cheers to a Remarkable Journey

Good luck to Philip Pope as he embarks on new adventures (literally) in retirement!

As Philip reflects on his upcoming retirement, he shares these thoughts about his career, his future plans and what it takes to be successful.

Career Journey

I started my banking career at UMB in June 1983, working in the Loan & Discount cage. After joining Boatman’s in 1990, I stepped into a leadership role working in the same area. In 1998, Boatman’s merger with Bank of America opened new opportunities, and I made the move to private banking and then into private wealth management (US Trust).

I walked through the doors to begin my journey in loan operations with Country Club on November 7, 2013, the first day the 1 Ward Parkway building opened its doors.

Retirement Adventures

As I look forward to retirement, I plan to take the first four months to relax and unwind. Next on the agenda is to visit southeast France and northwest Italy, both on the Mediterranean Sea. I also hope to hike Machu Picchu in Peru.

I ultimately see myself settling down in Florida, where I can enjoy beach life, golf, fishing, boating, biking, and more. My strong work ethic will continue to drive me to stay engaged. I intend to contribute to an organization that makes a difference, such as the American Red Cross.

Advice for Success

Throughout my journey, one piece of advice has always resonated with me. It came from my philosophy professor, who posed the question: "What does it take to be successful?" Although his question may have been related to academic achievement, I found these principles to be a guiding force in both my career and life:

• Set attainable goals.

• Be courageous.

• Be competitive.

• Improve your emotional intelligence by listening to others.

• Build a growth mindset—know that you can change, grow and learn through effort.

• Develop Mental Toughness—believe in yourself, care for yourself and persevere.

• Focus on motivations—challenge yourself, be curious, take control.

• Avoid burnout.

I urge each of you to take these lessons to heart. They can help you be successful, not only with a career but also with life in general.