Published in EBL Express | January 2022
The Capacity Enhancement Center of Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) began its journey on 18 January 2015 with a powerful vision: “Imagine Without Fear.”
One of the brainchild initiatives of our Honourable Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Ali Reza Iftekhar, NEST was created as a unique platform where participants could step away from their routine responsibilities, think differently, and explore new possibilities for the Bank.
What makes NEST particularly distinctive is its approach to participant selection. Grade, designation, and years of experience are not the deciding factors. Instead, the focus is on creating an environment where people from different backgrounds and levels can come together, think freely, and contribute their ideas.
At NEST, participants are encouraged to share their thoughts without the fear of being judged. Even an idea that may initially seem incomplete, unconventional, or impractical is welcomed. The objective is to create the maximum comfort and psychological space for people to speak, question, imagine, and innovate.
This philosophy reflects an important lesson in organizational development: great ideas do not always come from the most senior person in the room. Sometimes, they come from giving people the freedom and confidence to think without fear.
NEST is more than a platform for generating ideas. It represents a culture of trust, openness, inclusion, and innovation—a culture where every voice has the potential to contribute to the future of the organization.
