Diversity
A Future for Small Credit Unions
Part 4 – How Open Banking and Distributed Ledger Technology will help small credit unions compete. Open Banking and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) offer several advantages that can help smaller credit unions compete more effectively with larger financial institutions. Here’s how these technologies will be beneficial: Open Banking Benefits Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Benefits Combined…
Read MoreData Governance – Mitigating Data Biases
Part 3 Credit unions have many data sources beyond their core operating system. When a credit union conducts a data source inventory, it is not uncommon to have 50 or more data sources. These third-party data sets and reports commonly come in various formats, with different labels and definitions, and upload and report timing. Inconsistency…
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 MoreHow to Retain Employees and Members
Fostering a Culture of Belonging Employee burnout is a pervasive issue affecting organizations across various industries, and credit unions are no exception. The financial sector demands high commitment, attention to detail, and often long working hours, making credit union employees susceptible to burnout. However, creating a culture of belonging can be a powerful antidote to…
Read MoreThe “B” in DEIB – Strategies for Fostering Belonging
The importance of an employee feeling like they belong cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts individual and organizational outcomes. An employee’s race, religion, sexual identity, gender, and age must be taken into consideration if a credit union seeks to create a culture of belonging. This strong sense of belonging contributes significantly to employee well-being,…
Read MoreFrom “I’m Not Racist” to Becoming an Ally: A Journey of Personal Growth
“I’m not a Racist!” Anger or tears often accompany this proclamation and may be proof that, yes, you are a racist. But take a breath and pay attention. You can become an ally and also lead your credit union into a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) reality. In today’s world, acknowledging and addressing racism-related…
Read MoreDo Bots and Keywords Limit Access to Qualified and Diverse Candidates?
Recently, I’ve had the honor of coaching and mentoring some competent professionals as they sought career changes. The common denominator with these high-potential applicants is that their opportunities have been limited because of the arbitrary algorithms found in bots and the way keywords are highlighted. Bots and keywords have become the primary selection tool in…
Read MoreThe Impact of Mandated Return-to-Office (RTO) on Diversity and Job Satisfaction
There has been a lot of noise around return-to-work efforts. The decision that “all” employees need to return to the office three to five days per week is either being driven by: Regardless of the reason, I have yet to see the performance of these companies has deteriorated because of a remote workforce. Where there…
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