MWAA’s keynote speaker was Chris Singleton—a former minor league baseball player drafted by the Chicago Cubs. He became a nationally renowned speaker after the tragic loss of his mother in the 2015 Mother Emanuel Church shooting in Charleston, SC. His message of resilience, forgiveness, and unity has inspired audiences across the country. Singleton’s powerful keynote was followed by a complimentary book signing that left a lasting impression on many of us.
His words weren’t just moving—they were surprisingly relevant to the payments space.
Applying Singleton’s Unity to the Payment Space
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Embrace diverse systems, unify workflows
Financial institutions, merchants, and tech providers come with varied priorities—just like different neighbors in a community. Unity in payments isn’t forcing agreement; it’s orchestrating diverse systems (POS, software, processors) to collaborate seamlessly. -
Listen with empathy to drive innovation
Singleton reminds us that “everybody has a story behind their opinion.” In fintech, listening deeply to merchants—understanding their pain points, compliance needs, and customer experiences—is essential for building resilient, effective solutions. -
Forgiveness turned into flexibility
Forgiveness liberates both sides. Similarly, payment ecosystems that intelligently learn from declines or fraud flags and adapt—rather than rigidly penalize—create trust and smoother experiences. -
There is a story behind every stance—and resilience connects them
Just as Singleton emphasizes that every opinion has a backstory, resilience in payments—whether handling unexpected chargebacks or sudden shifts in consumer behavior—relies on understanding context and responding thoughtfully. This adaptability strengthens the entire ecosystem. -
Mindset matters: Attitude unlocks altitude
As Stephen R. Covey wisely said, “Your attitude determines your altitude.”
And as Charles R. Swindoll reminds us, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”
In the payments world, it's not just the challenges that define success—it’s the attitude of innovation, empathy, and flexibility in responding to them.
Chris Singleton’s unity principles—paired with timeless wisdom from Covey and Swindoll—underscore a truth we see every day: in both life and payments, empathy, context, and resilience pave the way for meaningful growth and stronger partnerships.