Beyond the Title: 12 Questions with Che Brattrud
Che Brattrud
Branch Manager, Park Bank
Che Brattrud is Branch Manager at Park Bank in Madison, where Che has built a nearly five-year career in banking. Che joined Park Bank in 2022 as a Relationship Banker, stepped in as Interim Branch Manager in 2023, and has led the branch since November 2023. Before banking, Che worked in furniture sales as a room consultant and spent more than three years behind the bar at The Great Dane Pub and Brewing Company, building the customer relationships and people skills that shape Che's leadership today. Che holds an NMLS credential in consumer lending and is known for relationship building, coaching, and clear communication.
01Built to Last starts with a strong foundation. What is the foundation your leadership is built on, and how do you return to it when things get shaky?
For me, leadership is built on growth and the knowledge that you will always be learning, no matter what stage of leadership you are at. When things get a bit shaky, I like to remind myself that I felt like that every time I grew in leadership. To me, it is a sign that I have an opportunity to further myself in the way I lead.
02Where do you come from, and how do your roots keep you steady when leadership gets hard?
I come from a small farm in the countryside where I grew up watching my father be my leader. When leadership gets hard, I remember the example he set: when you mess up or don't accomplish something the way you wanted, you haven't failed. He used to tell me that you only fail if you give up. In fact, he only became upset with me when I gave up on something, never when I kept trying. When he made a mistake, he would take a deep breath, reassess the situation, and come up with new ideas to succeed. When leadership gets hard for me, I remind myself I have not failed, because I refuse to give up on what I want to accomplish.
03What's a piece of advice that has stood the test of time for you, the kind you still come back to years later?
From the manager who was the first to watch me go through an overwhelming situation: Don't worry about what you can't control. Take action with what you can control. You may not have control over preventing the problems that arise, but you can always control how you respond and lead through them.
04What's a book, quote, lyric, or scripture that has stayed with you and shaped how you lead or live?
Learn to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.
05What's something you've had to rebuild after it broke or fell apart, and what did that teach you about building things that last?
At one point in my life, it was myself as a whole that broke. The greatest thing I learned is that it is okay to start over. I actually encourage it sometimes. To start over is to recognize when you need to rebuild something you have put lots of time and effort into, and that is perfectly okay. So long as we live, it will never be too late to begin.
06What's one question every leader should ask if they want to build something that outlasts them, and why?
How do I want to be remembered?
It is important to understand the legacy you want to leave behind, and whether the way you currently lead is building toward that goal. The morals and structure you lead with now should always continue to align with how you want someone to remember how you led them.
07Who are you actively preparing to carry this work forward, and what are you doing to set them up to succeed without you?
My current team. Leadership does not come with a title; it is how we carry ourselves to help and teach those around us. I consistently work with my team to build a culture of growth that doesn't end. I help guide them to learn how to take ownership in what they do. I don't like to hand them the answer without them taking that ownership. Instead, I help teach them how to locate resources and make connections that will go forward with them.
Ultimately, the goal is to make sure they know they are capable of achieving the goals they have when they take ownership and responsibility for their growth and development, since the number of resources that exist for learning is almost never ending.
08When leadership feels heavy, what do you turn to (music, travel, culture, faith) that restores you and keeps you feeling like yourself?
When leadership gets heavy, I like to turn to the hobbies I love. Playing soccer and going camping are two things I do a lot, and they allow me to reset and recharge my brain. Doing what you love outside of leadership can provide the boost you need to come back and overcome any obstacles.
09When you think about the legacy you want to leave, what do you hope still stands long after you've moved on?
I hope that the culture I have helped to build within my branch continues to grow in a positive way. We work hard to create an environment that everyone can feel welcomed into. One that they can trust, and know that our goal is to help them grow as much as ourselves, but in their own way. I want this to be true for both the associates and the community that trusts us to help them in any way we can.
And I hope that anyone who steps inside continues to feel the warmth that my team and I have created, and knows that they all deserve kindness and positivity.
10What's a small daily habit or discipline that has compounded into something meaningful over time?
Making sure to say good morning to each person every single day. It has become a way for everyone to know they are seen, heard, and acknowledged. It's important to know that everyone wants to be included and everyone wants to be respected, and to never forget that.
11What's a moment in your life where the music playing in the background ended up meaning more than you expected, a song that showed up right when you needed it, or made an ordinary moment stick with you?
Some of my closest friends and I used to regularly sing “I'll Follow You into the Dark” late at night around bonfires. There was always something nostalgic about that moment and the close connection we felt, knowing we would always be there for each other no matter where we went in life.
12What's a tradition in your life or family that you hope lasts for generations?
Our yearly camping trip with my family. This is something we do every single year and have done for as long as I can remember. It is always a way to disconnect from the world and find quality time, without distractions, with the people I love.