Career path
Fragility and Resiliency – Vital Attributes of Leadership
Often, leaders see decisiveness and strength as the primary characteristics of leadership. The reality is that leadership is more complicated and nuanced than these two attributes. Among the many qualities leaders need, fragility and resilience emerge as essential and distinct yet interconnected. In today’s ever-evolving, ever-disrupting landscape of challenges, a leader must navigate uncertainty, adapt…
Read MoreA Primer – Choosing the Next CEO
Every credit union will have to survive the succession of the CEO. The reasons for this succession can be planned or unplanned. If the succession turns out to be unplanned, there has been a vital miss in the Board’s responsibilities. This article will address what needs to be done for the Board to realize a…
Read MoreUnraveling the Differences Between Leadership and Management
As I crisscrossed the nation, meeting hundreds of credit union managers and executives, I learned that leadership and management are often used interchangeably and are “ordained” by the org chart. Let’s erase this mistaken notion that an individual is one or the other and discuss how these roles fit together. Leadership and Management are two…
Read More19 Ways an Executive Coach Has Your Back
Executives often live in an isolated world and find themselves, at times, feeling inadequate (imposter syndrome) or unsure of their ability to trust their staff, peers, or bosses. Executive coaching offers a customized approach to help leaders manage the loneliness and anxiety of their role by helping them enhance their skills, overcome challenges, and achieve…
Read MoreCuring Procrastination – “Eat the Crust First”
Procrastination is a common challenge that affects people at all levels of leadership. Overcoming procrastination is crucial to achieving maximum productivity, meeting deadlines, getting the important things done, not just the urgent things, and executing strategic success. When I asked ChatGPT to tell me how to “cure” procrastination, its response was no surprise. ChatGPT provided…
Read MoreLeadership: Navigating Challenges with Courage and Compassion
Leadership is often glamorized as a position of power and influence, but the reality is that it is not for the faint of heart. Authentic leaders are not defined solely by their titles or authority; their hearts’ size distinguishes them. Leading with empathy, courage, and compassion is the hallmark of great leadership, as it involves…
Read MoreA Job Candidate’s Guide to Finding a Cultural Fit
Selecting the right company to work for involves more than just matching your skills to the job description. Understanding the culture is vital, directly impacting job satisfaction, professional growth, and overall well-being. Here are the steps you take before the interview or before you apply: Research the Company The internet is a treasure trove of…
Read MoreCrafting Leadership Excellence
The 12 Elements of a Successful Leadership Development Program for Credit Unions Credit unions operate in a highly volatile and competitive environment. Every major initiative requires cross-functional and cross-silo teams. Because of this ecosystem, credit unions must ensure consistent leadership behaviors and intentions for these diverse teams to be effective and execute expertly. Strong leadership…
Read MoreWhat the Credit Union Board Should Know Before Hiring a Bank Executive
On the surface, the differences between running a bank and running a credit union seem very similar. However, for the Board of Directors to select the right executive to lead a credit union, it must consider that credit unions differ significantly from traditional banks’ structure, purpose, and values. The purpose of a credit union transcends…
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