leadership skills
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…
Read MoreStriking the Right Balance Between Staffing Needs and Wants
In the not-too-distant past, we saw quiet quitting, and it appears in 2024 that we are seeing a return to layoffs. For example, Kinecta Credit Union, with 806 full-time equivalent employees, recently laid off 84 employees due to a fall in earnings. And, Kinecta is not alone in this trend. The workplace looks and feels…
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 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 MoreFragility 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 MoreFive Steps to Creating a Digital Culture
When asked “In the past year, which method did you use most often to manage your bank account(s)?” consumers responded as follows: Mobile (apps on smartphone or tablet) – 45% Internet/Online (Laptop or PC) – 27% Branches – 14% (Oct 31, 2022 – American Bankers Association) This statistic says a lot! Mobile utilization is the preferred method…
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