management
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…
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 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 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 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 MoreRemote Backup System – A Way to Thwart a Ransomware Attack
Over 60 credit unions have suffered ransomware attacks in the past few months. Having a remote backup system plays a significant role in thwarting your credit union from becoming a ransomware attack victim. What is Ransomware? Ransomware is malware that encrypts files on a victim’s system, rendering them inaccessible until a ransom is paid. With…
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