coaching
“Service as an Act of Stewardship” will Transform your Credit Union
Service, what is it? Bank service has been defined by the consumer as, did they engage me quickly, did they make eye contact, did they smile, were they fast, did they say thank you – a very low bar to member satisfaction but one that doesn’t differentiate the credit union. What can a credit union…
Read MoreServing Members as an Act of Stewardship
Several years ago, I worked with Dale Turner, now CEO at TruStone Financial Credit Union. As the VP of Lending, he stood at the podium of an all-staff meeting and challenged the entire credit union to “think for the member, don’t just respond to the member.” Dale had the wisdom to know the difference between…
Read MoreLeaders, Avoid “Bobbleheads”
In leadership, the tendency to surround oneself with individuals who constantly nod in agreement—often called ‘bobbleheads’ due to their constant nodding—can be detrimental to effective decision-making, innovation, and overall credit union success. This behavior can lead to a lack of critical evaluation of ideas, as everyone agrees without questioning or offering alternative viewpoints. While it…
Read MoreFrom an Executive to a Strategist – Changing Perceptions.
One complaint I hear from most CEOs about marketing, lending, and operational executives is, “I need my leadership to be more strategic.” But most executives aren’t sure what that really means, and often, the CEO struggles to explain it. Strategists play a distinct role compared to other executives within an organization. Here are fundamental differences…
Read MoreLeadership Brand – Supercharge Your Career
Have you ever defined your leadership brand? If you haven’t, now is the time. The process is simple but deliberate and does not happen overnight. It is a hero’s journey, so expect multiple opportunities to learn from your mistakes and to rely heavily on allies. Why is Your Brand Journey Important? It Enhances Your Credibility…
Read MoreFacing Career Disruption?
Career disruption creates anxiety. It presents itself in many forms: you feel your influence is waning, there is a potential for layoffs, the company’s performance is missing targets, or layoffs have been announced. These palatable disruptions often cause you to become fearful, more risk-averse, or even to try to become invisible. You should do the…
Read MoreThe Empathic Leader: Investing in People Through Active Listening
Investing in people has taken center stage in the ever-evolving business and leadership landscape. As organizations recognize the importance of their most valuable and expensive asset – their employees – the focus has shifted towards fostering a workplace culture prioritizing empathy and active listening. Leaders who prioritize their teams foster a culture of belonging where…
Read MoreYou Are a New Executive in a Credit Union, Onboard Yourself First!
Joining a credit union as a CEO, EVP, SVP, or VP is exciting yet challenging. As an executive leader, your role is pivotal in driving the credit union’s strategies, mission, vision, values, growth, and member satisfaction. It is rare to find a credit union with a disciplined process to onboard executives, which, by the nature…
Read MoreManaging a Hybrid Workforce – Success Strategies
Managers are now challenged to effectively manage staff remotely. The cadence of when employees must be “in the office” versus working remotely varies from credit union to credit union and even department to department. Managers and policymakers must realize that team management focuses on equity versus equality. Let’s first identify the purpose of employees meeting…
Read More