Leaders, 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…

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10 Reasons to Hire a CMO as the New CEO

Credit union boards seem to default to a CFO or COO as the new CEO. The thinking is sound; credit unions are a business of money (finance) and serving members (operations), which are the two key skill sets of the CFO and COO, respectively. But, in the dynamic business landscape of credit unions, the Chief…

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From 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…

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Leadership 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…

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The 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…

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Feeling Pressure for a Hasty Executive Hiring Decision?

Recently, I have observed several credit unions make hiring mistakes for key executives, including CEOs. The disruption these “hasty hires” cause is palatable. In one situation, a CEO who lacked the strategic mindset the credit union needed was hired. In another, there was a significant skill gap; they hired a “finance person” when they needed…

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