LGBTQ
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…
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 MoreHow Small Credit Unions Can Become Vital
For the past 20+ years, credit unions seeking to grow, have made charter changes to community charters, often from multi-common bond or sole sponsorship charters. The goal was to minimize the perceived barriers to membership. The belief was that if anyone could join my credit union, growth would be unconstrained. In some cases, this was…
Read MoreDEIB must be done correctly!
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) has become a buzzword in the corporate world, with many organizations attempting to implement DEIB strategies. However, a feeble attempt at a DEIB strategy can be dangerous for the company and the individuals it aims to support. The first danger of a feeble attempt at a DEIB strategy is…
Read MoreBad, bad culture…
Corporate culture refers to the values, beliefs, and behaviors that shape a company’s overall work and service environment. A positive corporate culture enhances employee satisfaction, fosters innovation, and promotes productivity. Conversely, a bad corporate culture devastates a company, its employees, and its customers. In this article, I will explore the dangers of bad corporate culture…
Read MoreA White Man’s Journey to Becoming an Ally
Ally (n) – one that is associated with another as a helper; (v) – to unite or form a connection between; to enter into an alliance. For background purposes, let me share my beginning point for this important journey. I was raised in a typical, white, middle-class, suburban neighborhood by a traditional family. We went…
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